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Tinnitus
By peace | November 24, 2006
Tinnitus is a condition in which the sufferer is conscious of a ringing, buzzing or tinkling noise in the ears that has no external source.
Tinnitus from the Latin word for “ringing” is the perception of sound in the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound(s). Tinnitus can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head. It is usually described as a ringing noise, but in some patients it takes the form of a buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling sound; or as ticking, clicking, roaring, “crickets,” tunes, songs, or beeping. It has also been described as a “whooshing” sound, as of wind or waves.
Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this discomfort. Tinnitus may come and go, or you may be aware of a continuous sound. It can vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal or whine, and you may hear it in one or both ears. When the ringing is constant, it can be annoying and distracting. More than seven million of people are afflicted so severely that they cannot lead normal lives.
There are a large number of causes: ear wax, otitis media, deafness, otosclerosis, hypertension or an overdose of drugs such as aspirin or quinine. Very occasionally, the condition is caused by an acoustic neuroma. Sometimes tinnitus is aggravated by psychological causes such as anxiety or depression. Tinnitus may also be the forerunner of an attack of epilepsy or fainting. In old people, the problem is often the result of deafness due to ageing.
Unless there is a simple cause, such as wax in the ear, there is little that can be done. But if symptoms could be due to anxiety they should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible. Firstly, because they may be caused by a serious disease and not by anxiety at all. And secondly, because if a doctor can reassure the sufferer about the cause of th esymptoms, it will help to prevent the vicious circle of chronic anxiety from developing. The doctor will explain that tinnitus always has a physical cause and will help the sufferer to learn to live with it.
Prevention
Tinnitus is not itself a disease but an unwelcome symptom resulting from a range of underlying causes, including ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the ear, and injury from loud noises. Tinnitus is also a side-effect of some oral medications.
Because tinnitus and hearing loss can be permanent conditions, precautionary measures are advisable. If a ringing in the ears is audible after exposure to a loud environment, such as a rock concert or work place, it means that damage is being done. Prolonged exposure to noise levels as low as 70 dB can result in damage to hearing. If it is not possible to limit exposure, earplugs or ear defenders should be worn. For musicians and DJs, special musicians’ earplugs can lower the volume of the music without distorting the sound and can prevent tinnitus from developing in later years.
It is also important to check medications for potential ototoxicity. Ototoxicity can be cumulative between medications, or can greatly increase the damage done by noise. If ototoxic medications must be administered, close attention by the physician to prescription details, such as dose and dosage interval, can reduce the damage done
Treatment And Coping With Tinnitus
There are many treatments that are effective for tinnitus resulting from a particular cause, but none are effective in every case. Conversely, tinnitus may resolve without any treatment. Occasionally, medicine may help the noise. The medications used are varied, and several may be tried to see if they help.
Concentration and relaxation exercises can help to control muscle groups and circulation throughout the body. The increased relaxation and circulation achieved by these exercises can reduce the intensity of tinnitus in some patients.
- Masking. Tinnitus is usually more bothersome in quiet surroundings. A competing sound at a constant low level, such as a ticking clock or radio static (white noise), may mask the tinnitus and make it less noticeable. Products that generate white noise are also available through catalogs and specialty stores.
- Hearing Aids. If you have a hearing loss, a hearing aid(s) may reduce head noise while your are wearing it and sometimes cause it to go away temporarily. It is important not to set the hearing aid at excessively loud levels, as this can worsen the tinnitus in some cases. However, a thorough trial before purchase of a hearing aid is advisable if your primary purpose is the relief of tinnitus.
Tinnitus maskers can be combined within hearing aids. They emit a competitive but pleasant sound that can distract you from head noise. Some people find that a tinnitus masker may even suppress the head noise for several hours after it is used, but this is not true for all users.
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