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Tinnitus
is not a disease but a symptom resulting from a range of underlying
causes that can include ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the
ear, nose allergies that prevent (or induce) fluid drain and cause wax
build-up, and injury from loud noises. It is also a side-effect
of some medications. It can be perceived in one or both ears or
in the head.
Some cases of tinnitus are medically unexplained. As it is often defined as a subjective phenomenon, it is difficult to measure using objective tests, such as by comparison with noise of known frequency and intensity, as in an audiometric test. About one in five people between 55 and 65 years old report tinnitus symptoms on a general health questionnaire. In some individuals, the intensity of it can be changed by shoulder, head, tongue, jaw, or eye movements.
Most people with tinnitus have hearing loss in that they are often unable to properly hear external sounds which occur within the same range of frequencies as their "phantom sounds. The term "tinnitus" usually refers to more severe cases. Heller and Bergman (1953) conducted a study of 100 tinnitus-free university students placed in an anechoic chamber and found that 93% reported hearing a buzzing, pulsing or whistling sound. For research purposes, the more elaborate Tinnitus Handicap Inventory is often used.
It can in very rare situations be a symptom of serious problems such as an aneurysm or a brain tumor (acoustic tumor). It is identified more frequently in white individuals. It can be extremely disturbing to people who have it. It can arise in any of the four sections of the hearing system: the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, and the brain. It is the perception of sound in the head or the ears.
Some medical treatments and prescription drugs given for depression are known to cause or aggravate tinnitus in some individuals. Also, some medical treatments given for depression are known to aggravate tinnitus awareness in some individuals.
If someone is experiencing tinnitus symptoms, they should seek treatment immediately.
Some cases of tinnitus are medically unexplained. As it is often defined as a subjective phenomenon, it is difficult to measure using objective tests, such as by comparison with noise of known frequency and intensity, as in an audiometric test. About one in five people between 55 and 65 years old report tinnitus symptoms on a general health questionnaire. In some individuals, the intensity of it can be changed by shoulder, head, tongue, jaw, or eye movements.
Most people with tinnitus have hearing loss in that they are often unable to properly hear external sounds which occur within the same range of frequencies as their "phantom sounds. The term "tinnitus" usually refers to more severe cases. Heller and Bergman (1953) conducted a study of 100 tinnitus-free university students placed in an anechoic chamber and found that 93% reported hearing a buzzing, pulsing or whistling sound. For research purposes, the more elaborate Tinnitus Handicap Inventory is often used.
It can in very rare situations be a symptom of serious problems such as an aneurysm or a brain tumor (acoustic tumor). It is identified more frequently in white individuals. It can be extremely disturbing to people who have it. It can arise in any of the four sections of the hearing system: the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, and the brain. It is the perception of sound in the head or the ears.
Some medical treatments and prescription drugs given for depression are known to cause or aggravate tinnitus in some individuals. Also, some medical treatments given for depression are known to aggravate tinnitus awareness in some individuals.
If someone is experiencing tinnitus symptoms, they should seek treatment immediately.