Tinnitus is a common condition characterized by the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. It is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder.
Tinnitus is not a disease itself, but rather a symptom that can result from a wide range of underlying causes. This noise in your ears, which can be high-pitched ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or humming, may be soft or loud, low pitched or high pitched, and appear to be coming from one or both ears.
Most often, it comes on gradually. In many people, tinnitus is caused by one of these conditions:
- Age-related hearing loss: For many people, hearing worsens with age, usually starting around age 60. Hearing loss can cause tinnitus. The medical term for this type of hearing loss is presbycusis.
- Exposure to loud noise: Loud noises, such as those from heavy equipment, chain saws and firearms, are common sources of noise-related hearing loss. Portable music devices, such as MP3 players or iPods, also can cause noise-related hearing loss if played loudly for long periods.
- Earwax blockage: Earwax protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria. When too much earwax accumulates, it becomes too hard to wash away naturally, causing hearing loss or irritation of the eardrum, which can lead to tinnitus.
However, in many cases, the cause of tinnitus is never found. Your doctor will examine your ears, head and neck to look for possible causes of tinnitus. Tests include hearing (audiological) exam. As part of the test, you’ll sit in a soundproof room wearing earphones through which will be played specific sounds into one ear at a time. You’ll indicate when you can hear the sound, and your results are compared with results considered normal for your age.
Tinnitus can significantly affect quality of life. Although it affects people differently, if you have tinnitus, you may also experience: Fatigue, Stress, Sleep problems, Trouble concentrating, Memory problems, Depression, Anxiety and irritability. Treating these linked conditions may not affect tinnitus directly, but it can help you feel better.
