All the information about Tinnitus - Signs, Causes, Symptoms & Prevention Methods

Tinnitus is the medical terminology for ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. Apart from ringing, people who are suffering from this problem may also hear sounds like roaring, whistling or hissing though there are no external sources. Tinnitus can be frustrating as it interferes in the normal hearing process. The unwanted sounds heard disrupt the flow of the genuine sounds around a person. Neglecting this disorder can lead to anxiety, depression and stress.

Tinnitus can happen in people of all ages though it is most common in older adults. The problem can occur either in one or both the ears. Patients who experience persistent or frequent ringing in the ears must consult the ENT doctor for accurate identification of the cause and appropriate medical intervention. Vikram ENT Hospital, a reputed ENT Hospital in Coimbatore, offers promising treatment for tinnitus and all other ENT problems. It is equipped with state-of-art infrastructure and experienced ENT specialists who have created innumerable patient success stories with their prompt diagnosis and effective treatment procedures.

Causes

• Middle ear damage
• Inner ear damage
• Ageing
• Hearing loss
• Constant exposure to loud sounds
• Side-effects of medications like certain antibiotics and diuretics
• Meniere’s disease (improper balancing and hearing of inner ears)
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Earwax blockage
• Head or neck trauma
• Some joint disorders which lead to chronic pain in the jaws and the head
• Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

Symptoms and Signs

Patients suffering from tinnitus experience signs of non-auditory internal sounds in the ears which may be high or low-pitched. These sounds are clearer at night or when there is quietness around. Some of the abnormal sounds heard are whistling, chirping, clicking, screeching, pulsing, whooshing or musical. Other related symptoms include-

• Pain in the ears
• Hearing loss
• Irritability
• Lack of concentration
• Sleep disturbances like sleep apnea
• Psychological depression

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in the timely management of tinnitus. ENT doctors usually do a physical examination first to check for any abnormalities. Hearing or audiometry tests may be conducted to evaluate the perception of various types of sounds. The middle and inner ears can be examined using an otoscope. Rhinoscopy may also be done to view the internal structures like nasal septum and sinuses. Sometimes, doctors recommend blood tests to rule out hormonal issues like thyroid which can cause this disorder.

Treatment

Removal of Blockage - If ear wax deposits are causing the tinnitus, the ENT doctor will remove it to reduce the symptoms.

Medications and Devices - Though medications may not cure tinnitus, they can help in providing some relief from unwanted sounds. Usually, anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants are prescribed. Since some medicines like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause the ringing in the ears, doctors may advise stoppage of such medicines. Hearing aids may be used if the tinnitus is caused by age-related or noise-induced hearing loss.

Restraining Therapy - This form of treatment uses two approaches-

• Directive counselling in which intensive and individual patient awareness and education are given about the causes and effects of this problem on the ear and brain along with the coping mechanisms.
• Low-level sound generators are used to help the brain to re-learn the patterns that de-emphasize the prominence of tinnitus and desensitize the patients who are oversensitive to sound.

Additionally, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be used as a psychological intervention to lower the stress and distraction associated with tinnitus.

Surgical Procedures - Underlying abnormal blood vessel conditions may be treated by surgery to resolve the tinnitus issue. In case permanent or severe hearing loss occurs due to tinnitus, cochlear implant treatment is given by insertion of an electronic device into the inner ear to restore hearing.

Prevention Methods

• Avoid constant exposure to loud sounds.
• Protect the ears from noise using earplugs and masks.
• Decrease anxiety and hypertension.
• Practice mindfulness and stress relieving activities like meditation and yoga.
• Avoid long-term usage and high dosage of certain medicines like aspirin.
• Quit smoking and reduce intake of caffeine products.
• Counteract age-related hearing loss by doing exercises that increase the blood circulation to the ears and relax the muscle tissue in the neck. Some such exercises to boost hearing are head rotation, neck flexion and extension and putting legs up the wall in a restoration inversion pose after lying down on the floor or cot.