Sounds in ear – Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a condition in which the patient hears (or rather perceives) noises even though there is no external source producing those sounds. These noises can be loud or soft and can differ in quality from patient to patient. Most tinnitus-related sounds can fall into the categories of ringing, roaring, whistling, buzzing, clicking, or hissing. Naturally as these sounds do not originate from any external source, others around the patient are not able to hear these sounds.
What are the major causes of tinnitus?
Even though, most of the times, tinnitus occurs without any specifically identifiable cause, it can afflict in the following cases:
- Hearing loss
- Exposure to loud noises
- Head injury
- Side effects of medication
- Hyper- or hypotension (high/low blood pressure)
- Wax accumulation inside the ear canal
- Fluid accumulation behind the tympanic membrane (ear drum)
- Conditions linked to heart, blood vessels, neck, jaw, or teeth
Is there anything I can do on my own to stop or slow down my tinnitus condition?
Yes, indeed. Tinnitus patients can take the following measures to slow down the worsening of tinnitus:
- Stop consumption of alcohol
- Stop smoking or using any kind of tobacco products
- Minimize exposure to loud sounds and noises (you can use earplugs to protect your ear if you live or work in a loud environment)
