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Tinnitus is the medical name for ringing in the ears. It is best described as a perception of sound when none is present. Sometimes the noise is described as hissing, roaring or whining. The type of noise is always the same, but the perceived loudness can vary, and it is not always present in both ears. It is a condition that afflicts 1 in 6 North Americans at some point in their lives. Tinnitus has the potential to completely disable a person. The noises cannot be heard by other people, although there is a rare form of "objective tinnitus", which results from transmitted noise from abnormal blood vessels and muscle clicks.
The cause of tinnitus is controversial. The current school of thought suggests that the origin is due to microscopic changes in nerve endings of the hearing nerve that transmits signals from the inner ear to the brain. Most of us have experienced some mild form of transient deafness and tinnitus after being exposed to loud noise, which resolves in a short time. Advanced age itself can cause changes in these nerve endings producing tinnitus. Some causes are easily treatable while others are resistant. Sometimes physical factors such as wax build up will produce tinnitus, while simple removal cures it. Medical conditions that affect nerve endings can cause tinnitus. I run checks for diabetes, anemia, thyroid problems, blood pressure, allergies and endocrine problems when tinnitus persists. One rare cause that I have seen, involves a tumour of the middle ear, called an acoustic neuroma which responds to surgery. Some minor head injuries and chronic ear infections produce tinnitus as well. Some antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, older antidepressants and overuse of aspirin can cause ringing in the ears.
Many times the cause is not readily apparent. It is impossible to objectively document post-viral causes. Treatment in the resistant cases is quite difficult. Sometimes it involves trying medications with varied success. Other strategies use masking. Tinnitus is more bothersome in dark quiet surroundings. Introducing a competing sound such as a radio may make it less noticeable. Sophisticated "white noise" headsets and hearing aids attempt to produce the same reduction. Some people are driven to undergo sophisticated training techniques in relaxation and cognitive blocking. Avoiding fatigue, excessive salt and caffeine intake seems to help somewhat. It makes sense that if the problem involves a sensitive nerve ending, then strategies to maintain good "nerve health" help. There also seems to be a large market of unproved remedies touting "cure for the right price", that springs up around difficult to treat conditions such as tinnitus. It makes good sense to protect your hearing at an early age, so as to avoid problems later on. Tinnitus is a serious condition. It should involve a team approach between your family doctor, otolaryngologist (ENT) and audiologist.
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