What is Tinnitus?

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing sensation people hear, in one or both ears, and is often associated with noise-induced hearing loss. Many individuals suffer from hearing these sounds and the sensation can range from barely noticeable to extremely annoying. It is often distracting and keeps one up at night.

Tinnitus is thought to occur when the tiny nerve cells in the cochlea flutter without being stimulated by sound vibrations.

What are the symptoms of tinnitus?

Tinnitus is most often described as a ringing in one or both ears, but sounds can also be perceived as static, humming, whistling, buzzing, grinding or hissing. As no one else can hear the sounds (except in very rare cases), tinnitus is a very unique and personal condition to each person experiencing it. It is a symptom, most commonly of hearing loss, rather than a disease—and it is rarely a sign of a serious underlying condition. Some people hear noises that are constant and steady, while for others they may pulsate or be more intermittent. Many of those who experience tinnitus find that it is relatively mild and gradually improves over time. However, severe cases of this condition can sometimes disrupt sleep, concentration, and the enjoyment of everyday activities.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus is strongly associated with hearing loss, and can develop gradually over time or quite suddenly. Repeated or prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause damage to hair cells in the inner ear and make it difficult or impossible to hear certain sound frequencies. As the brain tries to compensate for this hearing loss, neurons react by creating the illusion of sound to make up for those missing frequencies. Therefore, if hearing loss is in the high-frequency range, a person may hear a high sound such a whistle, and low-frequency hearing loss will result in a lower sound, such as a roar. Tinnitus may also be caused by medications that are toxic to the ear, and discontinuing the use of those medications may bring relief. In some cases, the cause is as simple and treatable as an earwax build-up, which can cause vibrations and pressure in the inner ear.