What Is Tinnitus? According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present.! Here are some causes of tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common cause of tinnitus. When you lose hearing, it means that your brain isn’t getting the auditory input it needs.
As a result, it starts to fill in the gaps with other sounds, which can sometimes be perceived as a ringing in the ears.
There are a variety of things that can cause hearing loss, including age, exposure to loud noise, and certain health conditions.
If you think you might be losing your hearing, it’s important to see a doctor so they can help you figure out the next steps.
Ear infection or ear canal blockage
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is an ear infection or blockage in the ear canal. This can be caused by a buildup of wax, an object lodged in the ear, or inflammation from a viral or bacterial infection.
The blockage prevents sound waves from reaching the eardrum, which causes a ringing sensation. In some cases, the blockage can also lead to hearing loss. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for this type of tinnitus.
The noise may feel like it’s coming from inside your head, and if it’s accompanied by pain or pressure in your ears, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Hearing loss: Some people with high-frequency hearing loss report that they hear low-pitched sounds that aren’t there at all.
Other people with low-frequency hearing loss say they hear high-pitched sounds when there’s no such thing around them.
Head or neck injuries.
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to the soft tissues in the head or neck. This can occur after a traumatic event, such as a car accident or a fall.
It can also happen gradually due to repetitive motions, such as shaking your head vigorously while trying to remove wax from your ear canal.
The damage causes the delicate bones in the middle ear to rub against each other, which produces the characteristic ringing sound.
Another cause of tinnitus is damage to your inner ear. Most people experience some type of damage after being exposed to loud noises, but fortunately, it’s usually temporary.
Some people, however, develop a ringing sound that doesn’t go away after days or weeks; rather, it becomes more persistent and lasts for years or even decades.
The condition is called chronic tinnitus and affects up to 10 percent of adults in Western countries.
Medications.
Some medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, certain antibiotics, and cancer medications, can cause tinnitus. In many cases, the ringing goes away when the person stops taking the medication.
Age-Related Changes in Hearing. your age, you might start to have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds. This is called presbycusis.
It’s a common cause of tinnitus. You may also hear whistling or buzzing in your ears if this condition gets worse.
Meniere’s disease.
Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can cause vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. It’s thought to be caused by a build-up of fluid in the inner ear, but the exact cause is unknown.
The symptoms tend to come and go, but they can get worse over time. There is no cure for Meniere’s disease, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms.
Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Eustachian tube dysfunction is a condition that can cause your ear to feel clogged or full. This happens when the tube that connects your middle ear to your throat becomes blocked or does not function properly.
This can be caused by several things, including allergies, the common cold, or sinus infections. When this happens, it can cause tinnitus.
Ear bone changes
The bones in your middle ear change as you get older. This process is called ossification, and it can cause tinnitus. The Stirrup, an ear bone that helps to transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear, is particularly susceptible to this problem. As the Stirrup grows harder and more brittle with age, it may rub against other bones or blood vessels in the ear, causing noise that leads to tinnitus. In most cases, the changes are not severe enough to interfere with hearing. However, they can make life difficult for those who have hearing loss from a condition like Meniere’s disease or some forms of high-frequency hearing loss.
Muscle spasms in the inner ear.
Muscle spasms in the inner ear are a common cause of tinnitus. The muscles in the ear contract and spasm, which causes a clicking or popping sound.
This can be caused by stress, anxiety, or even dehydration. If you suspect that your tinnitus is caused by muscle spasms, try relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.
You should also stay hydrated and avoid caffeine.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Your skull is connected to your jaw by the temporomandibular joint. If this joint is not working properly, it can cause pain in your jaw and face, and clicking or popping sounds when you move your mouth. It can also lead to tinnitus.
Many things can cause TMJ disorders, including arthritis, teeth grinding (bruxism), clenching your teeth, poor dental alignment, gum disease, injury to the joint, and stress.
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to see a dentist or doctor so they can diagnose and treat the problem.
Acoustic neuroma
Acoustic neuroma is a type of brain tumor that can cause tinnitus. These tumors develop on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain and can cause hearing loss, balance problems, and facial paralysis.
Other head and neck tumors can also cause tinnitus by putting pressure on the auditory nerves or the brain.
Blood vessel disorders
One cause of tinnitus is damage to the blood vessels in your head or neck. This can be caused by several things, including high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, an aneurysm, or other blood vessel disorders.
If you have any of these conditions, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible to help prevent tinnitus.
Other chronic conditions.
Many other chronic conditions can cause tinnitus. These include allergies, anemia, hypertension, diabetes, thyroid problems, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and menopause.
In some cases, a simple change in medication can help to ease the symptoms of tinnitus. If you think that your tinnitus may be caused by another underlying condition, it’s important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.