Tinnitus is a common ailment affecting nearly 20% of all Americans. A symptom of a disorder rather than a disease itself, tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a buzzing, ringing or roaring when no external sound is present. Understanding the cause of this phantom noise holds the key to its treatment.
There are two types of tinnitus: subjective and objective. Subjective is significantly more common and is defined by a noise only you can hear. Objective occurs when the ringing in the ear can be heard by both you and your doctor while they are performing an exam.
Most cases of tinnitus are caused by damage to the inner ear. When everything is working, the hair cells within the inner ear are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical impulses, which are passed through the auditory nerve to the brain where they are interpreted as sound. Aging and exposure to loud sounds can damage these hair cells. Once damaged, the hair cells can begin to “leak,” randomly sending electric impulses to the brain that are not real because there is no sound source.
Additional causes include:
- Earwax blockage
- Ear bone issues
- Meniere’s disease
- TMJ disorders
- Head injury
- Acoustic neuroma
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Muscle spasms in the inner ear
- Head and neck tumors
- High blood pressure
Hearing Loss & Tinnitus
Nearly 90% of those with tinnitus also experience hearing loss. A common cause of hearing loss includes damage to the inner ear, which explains the connection.
Meniere’s Disease & Tinnitus
This inner ear disorder is characterized by episodes of vertigo, fullness in the ear, hearing loss and tinnitus. While the cause is unknown, experts suspect Meniere’s disease is the result of an abnormal buildup of fluid within the inner ear due to improper drainage, abnormal immune response, viral infection or genetics.
Hyperacusis & Tinnitus
An abnormal sensitivity to ordinary environmental sounds is known as hyperacusis. Those with this condition report physical pain when exposed to specific sounds presented at a normal volume. A barking dog, someone chewing and even a vacuum cleaner can elicit this extreme reaction.
Tinnitus sufferers commonly experience this sensitivity to sounds.
To learn more about the cause of your tinnitus or to schedule an appointment for treatment, contact Today’s Hearing.