I think we need to start this subject by first defining what Tinnitus actually is. Tinnitus or ringing in the ears is defined as the perception of sound when there is no external noise present. While most people think of tinnitus as a simple ringing in the ears, the noise can actually be a hiss, buzz, roar, click, whooshing, or any other sound that is not externally present. The ringing in ears may be continuous or it may occur intermittently. It may be pulsatile (throbbing) or constant and its pitch may be high or low.
A cause of tinnitus ringing in ears might stem from anatomical abnormalities, disease, changes in biochemistry, injury, changes in ones perception, new medications or quite often just simply wear and tear. Most experts agree that a cause for tinnitus ringing in ears is usually inner ear cell damage.
He’s a brief and basic anatomical break down for you. Inside the inner ear tiny, delicate hairs move in relation to the pressure of sound waves. These changes in pressure triggers ear cells to release an electrical signal through a nerve from your ear to your brain, this is called the auditory nerve. Your brain then perceives these signals as sound. If for whatever reason the hairs inside your inner ear are bent, broken, inflamed, damaged they can send off random electrical signals to your brain, triggering ringing in the ear otherwise known as tinnitus.
Regardless of how we developed tinnitus in the first place, it’s the way we handle and cope with tinnitus emotionally that determines the quality of our life. Unless there is a very obvious and immediately treatable cause of your tinnitus or ringing in the ear, such as an infection, an obstruction, or a new medication, you will most likely be told that there is little that can be done for your condition.
The following is a basic list of health problems, injuries or conditions that may affect the nerves in your ear or the hearing center in your brain.
Age-related hearing loss is a common cause of tinnitus ringing in ears.
Like everything else in the body, as we age we are more susceptible to wear and tear and our hearing isn’t exempt from this. Hearing loss can be one of the reasons for ringing in the ears.
Sudden exposure to loud noise such as that from a firearm or constant exposure to loud noise, such as loud mechanical equipment, can cause irreversible damage. Portable music devices can also cause noise-related hearing loss. Ringing in the ears caused by exposure to loud music concerts usually goes away within a day or so, however long-term exposure to loud music or sounds can cause permanent damage, so air on the side of caution and protect your hearing at all times!
A blockage in the form of earwax, inflammation from infection, or other obstruction can cause ringing in the ear or both ears. Earwax protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria, but sometimes too much earwax can accumulate becoming impacted. This in turn can cause hearing loss or irritation, which can be one of the causes of tinnitus. Allergies can also cause not only irritation to the eyes and nose; they can also cause tinnitus due to an increase in mucus or increased pressure and swelling.
Changes
in anatomy might be able to cause tinnitus in the form of the Stiffening of the bones in your middle ear or an accident or even surgery.
Believe it or not the medication you are on might be causing your tinnitus. Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause ringing in the ears. Please consult with your doctor if you think this might be the case. Another cause of tinnitus ringing in the ears might be Meniere’s disease
. Tinnitus often accompanies Meniere’s disease, which is an inner ear disorder of idiopathic origin (check out link to find out more on Meniere’s disease, causes and solutions) Little is really known about this debilitating condition, but what we do know is that it may be caused by abnormal inner ear fluid pressure.
Trauma to the head, neck and face can have an affect on the workings of the inner ear. However these injuries usually only cause tinnitus in the ear that has been directly affected.
Dental problems such as TMJ disorders
might be able to cause tinnitus. The temperomandibular joint is a joint on each side of your jaw attaching the lower jaw to the skull. Problems with this joint have been known to be a cause of tinnitus ringing in the ears. Please consult with you dentist if you think this could be a reason for your tinnitus condition.
Acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous tumor, which develops on the cranial nerve; this nerve runs from your brain to your inner ear and controls balance and hearing. Again, this condition as a rule only causes tinnitus in directly effected ear.
Blood vessel disorders can be one of the reasons behind constant ringing in ears. However, tinnitus very rarely is a cause of tinnitus ringing in the ears. This type of tinnitus is called pulsatile tinnitus and only makes up a very small fraction of the worldwide tinnitus cases.
If you’re are lucky and your GP has narrowed down the likely reason for the constant ringing in your ears and it’s something that can be treated right away like a blockage, infection or medication adjustment you can start to get to grips with the immediate cause and hopefully will be tinnitus free once the root problem has been resolved.
However if you’re are one of the millions who have no concrete cause for your tinnitus other than inner ear damage, age related hearing loss or stress Ringing in the ears The fact remains the same, “You have tinnitus” And like millions of others you’ve been told that there is no solution. Well, this is partly true, there is no so called cure for tinnitus. But, it does not mean that there isn’t a way out of tinnitus suffering for an individual. For once you fully understand the cause of tinnitus and view it from a subjective standpoint, step out of your direct relationship with it and truly see it for what it you can begin to return to that place of calm inner peace.
