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Tinnitus: Ears
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Tinnitus is a ringing, swishing, or other type of noise that seems to originate in the ear or head. In many cases it is not a serious problem, but rather a nuisance that may in time go away. It is not a single disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this disorder. In almost all cases, only the patient can hear the noise.
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Tinnitus is a common disorder with many possible causes. Most cases of tinnitus are subjective, but occasionally the tinnitus can be heard by an examiner. Otologic problems, especially hearing loss, are the most common causes of subjective tinnitus. Common causes of conductive hearing loss include external ear infection, cerumen impaction, and middle ear effusion. Sensorineural hearing loss may be caused by exposure to excessive loud noise, presbycusis, ototoxic medications, or Meniere's disease. Unilateral hearing loss plus tinnitus should increase suspicion for acoustic neuroma.
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Most of the time, the causes of Tinnitus is not known. It is not a disease but it is a symptom that can cause hearing loss or failure in the auditory system. The physician cannot easily identify the real cause of this psychological or neurological event that creates ear noises. Your physician will take into consideration that this is not just a fruit of your imagination but in reality there is something happening within yourself. In taking consideration for your condition, physicians are advice to do thorough check ups, taking complete medical history and physical examinations in order to identify the real cause of Tinnitus. You will be advice to undergo hearing test in this case.
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Tinnitus is a noise heard in the ear not coming from the environment outside the patient. An extremely common disorder (affecting 1 in 7 Americans), the range of impact may be anywhere from awareness of the noise in quiet to a life impacting severe sound which is constantly present. Evaluation by CEI Physicians and Audiologists is necessary to define the source of the tinnitus. Several sophisticated tests and procedures frequently become necessary to elucidate the source of the problem. Unwanted noise may arise in the inner ear, the hearing nerve pathway and surrounding structures, or the brain itself.
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Tinnitus – often simply referred to as ringing-in-the-ears or head noises-is a sound heard by one or both ears that is described by different people in various ways. To some it is a high-pitched ringing, whining, or hissing sound, like listening to a conch shell. To others it may be a low roaring noise. Tinnitus can be very mild, noticeable only in a quiet room, or it can become so loud and annoying the victim hears nothing else. It can be persistent, intermittent, or throbbing, depending on the cause. Some 50 million adults suffer from Tinnitus.
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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 a work place, it means that damage has been done. Prolonged exposure to noise levels as low as 70 dB can result in damage to hearing (see noise health effects). 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.
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