Ringing in the ears without hearing loss or pain is a condition referred to as tinnitus. Approximately one-third of adults report having tinnitus at some point and about ten to fifteen percent of those cases require medical evaluation, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Tinnitus is not a disease in itself, but occurs as a symptom of an underlying physical or psychological condition.
Causes
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to cells in the inner ear. The inner ear contains a number of small hairs that aid in the perception of sound. When sound waves reach the inner ear, the small hairs trigger the release of an electrical nerve signal that travels to the brain. These electrical nerve signals are perceived as sound. If the small hairs are damaged, they can trigger abnormal electrical signals, which are perceived as a ringing in the ears. Tinnitus may also occur as a result of other ear problems, such as earwax buildup, repeated exposure to loud noises and structural changes in the bones of the ear. Neurological disorders, tumors, and circulatory system disorders are other possible, but rare, causes of tinnitus. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders also notes that over 200 medications have been identified as a possible cause of the development of tinnitus.
Types
There are two types of tinnitus: subjective and objective. Subjective tinnitus is the more common type and is characterized by ringing in the ears that can only be heard by the affected individual. Subjective tinnitus is usually a result of problems directly related to the ear, auditory nerve abnormalities or misinterpretations by the brain, according to MayoClinic.com. Objective tinnitus is tinnitus that usually occurs as a result of irregular blood flow and the ringing associated with it is in sync with the pulse. Circulatory system disorders and abnormal muscle contractions are often the cause of the irregular blood flow. Objective tinnitus is not only heard by the individual with the symptom, but is also audible to the doctor when he places a stethoscope close to the ear and along the head.
Symptoms
Tinnitus is usually defined as ringing in the ears, but may also include clicking, buzzing, whistling or roaring. The noise can vary in volume and may be pitched high or low. Those with tinnitus may experience a constant ringing or the ringing sound may come and go. Tinnitus can affect one or both ears.
Treatment
In order to find the best treatment for tinnitus, a doctor will perform a medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause. If an underlying cause is easily identifiable, treatment for that condition will be given. For example, if tinnitus is caused by a circulatory system disorder, medications or surgery may help correct the problem. If tinnitus is caused by medication, dosage or type of medication may be changed. If no cause can be determined, treatment focuses on suppressing the ringing in the ears to make it more manageable. White noise machines, which produce sounds such as ocean waves, may be used at night to replace ringing with a more peaceful sound. Masking devices are small devices that produce white noise and are worn in the ear at all times to overshadow the ringing.
Prevention
Some cases of tinnitus may be preventable. MayoClinic.com lists a number of recommendations that may aid in prevention of developing tinnitus. These recommendations include wearing hearing protection during times of exposure to loud noise, keeping a low volume when listening to headphones and regular exercise combined with a healthy diet to keep the circulatory system working correctly.
