Tinnitus : Ringing in the ears

Tinnitus is when you hear ringing or other noises in your one or both ears. Tinnitus isn't caused by external sounds and usually other people are not able to hear your tinnitus. Tinnitus is very common and it occurs in almost 15-20 % of people.

Tinnitus is often considered a symptom rather than disease itself. It is a symptom that something is wrong in the auditory system, which includes the ear, the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, and the parts of the brain that process sound.

Something as simple as a piece of earwax blocking the ear canal can cause tinnitus. But it can also be the result of a number of health conditions, such as:

• Noise-induced hearing loss

• Ear and sinus infections

• Diseases of the heart or blood vessels

• Ménière’s disease

• Brain tumors

• Hormonal changes in women

• Thyroid abnormalities

• Strain to Head & Neck Muscles

• Temporo-mandibular Joint Disorder

• Tullio's Syndrome

• Tumors in head & neck

• Anaemia

Risk factors that can trigger tinnitus are:

1. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds

2. People with chronic ear infections

3. Ageing: Tinnitus is common after the age of 60 years

4. Tinnitus is usually more common in males than females

5. Smoking

6. Cardio-vascular disease

7. People with sedentary lifestyle

Lifestyle factors that may tend to make you pay more attention to tinnitus may include:

1. Lack of challenging and meaningful activities

2. Spending time in quiet settings

3. Stress

4. Lack of sleep

5. Unemployment

TREATMENT OF TINNITUS:

In order to understand your tinnitus your doctor may advise you to perform following tests:

Audiological examination:

Audiological examination will include the testing of your hearing sensitivity and identification of quality and loudness of your tinnitus by an audiologist.

Your audiologist may also ask you make some movements of eyes, jaw, neck, arms and legs. If, with movement the quality of tinnitus changes or worsen, it may help to identify the underlying cause of tinnitus .

He may also perform some balance related tests known as vestibular tests like VNG.

After all these these tests, he may guide you to a treatment appropriate for your tinnitus. The treatment options may include:

1. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

3. Use of Hearing Aids

4. Use of Masking Devices

5. Medicines.

These is to notice that there is no one treatment for tinnitus. Your audiologist & ENT will design as treatment plan according to your condition.

Always Remember Tinnitus is curable! Some may take more time than others.

Meet our audiologists to know more.