Tinnitus: Causes, Cures, Treatment and Definition – my.clevelandclinic.org
Overview
What is tinnitus?
If you have tinnitus, your head is filled with sound — ringing, whistling, clicking and roaring — that no one else hears. Tinnitus (tin-NITE-us or TIN-ne-tus) can be sounds that are so soft you may not notice them or so loud they block out sounds coming from external sources.
Is tinnitus common?
Tinnitus is a common problem that affects more than 50 million peopl…….
Overview
What is tinnitus?
If you have tinnitus, your head is filled with sound — ringing, whistling, clicking and roaring — that no one else hears. Tinnitus (tin-NITE-us or TIN-ne-tus) can be sounds that are so soft you may not notice them or so loud they block out sounds coming from external sources.
Is tinnitus common?
Tinnitus is a common problem that affects more than 50 million people in the United States. For about 12 million Americans, tinnitus is a constant and noisy companion that affects their daily lives. People who have tinnitus may have trouble sleeping or concentrating. Living with tinnitus can make people feel angry, frustrated and depressed.
What are the first signs of tinnitus?
You may first notice tinnitus because you’re developing hearing loss, have a head injury or an everyday medical condition like an ear infection.
Does tinnitus ever go away?
Healthcare providers may be able to cure tinnitus by treating the underlying condition. When they can’t, they recommend tactics to reduce its impact.
Symptoms and Causes
What causes tinnitus?
Healthcare providers don’t know exactly what causes tinnitus. They think abnormal activity in the part of your brain that processes sound may be responsible for tinnitus, but they don’t know how or why, or how to prevent that activity.
What conditions have tinnitus as a symptom?
Tinnitus is a symptom of more than 75% of all disorders that affect our ears. Most people who have hearing loss also have tinnitus. Here are some ways people develop hearing loss that causes tinnitus:
- Aging. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) affects 1 in 3 adults over age 65.
- Exposure to loud noises or explosions. This can happen over time or from a single incident. Exposure to very loud music or working in a very noisy environment can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Ototoxic medications. There’s a wide range of medications that can damage your ears. If you’re concerned about tinnitus, ask your healthcare provider about medication side effects and alternatives.
- Ménière’s disease. This chronic ear disorder affects your balance and hearing.
You can have tinnitus without hearing loss. Providers link tinnitus to about 200 different health conditions. Here are some examples:
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Tinnitus is a common symptom of TMJ, which is a condition caused by inflammation or irritation of the muscles and joints.
- Foreign objects …….
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14164-tinnitus
