What Is Tinnitus – The Annoying Buzzing Sound
What Is Tinnitus?
An annoying ringing or buzzing sound in the ear is known as Tinnitus. This can occur without warning and for no particular reason. This irritating problem can be constant, intermittent or pulsating and can be the result of a more serious underlying condition such as an infection. While this is most commonly found to be a chronic disorder, it can be managed with proper treatments and methods.
The effects of tinnitus can be in one ear or unilateral or occur in both ears or bilateral. The term tinnitus is derived from the Latin word Tinnitus which means “ringing.” It has been a constant problem for thousands of years with various methods of treatment.
Tinnitus can be divided into two specific types; Subjective refers to the type where only the person affected can hear it, while Objective refers to the type that a physician can hear upon examination. Subjective Tinnitus is very challenging to treat as the person affected is the only one able to hear the noise.
Tinnitus is caused by:
Obstruction due to fluid or wax buildup Ear infections Damage to the eardrum or the little bones in the middle ear Aspirin overdose Meniere’s disease Brain tumor Aneurysm Traumatic head injury, such as a severe blow to the head.
Tinnitus is diagnosed by your health care professional who will get your medical history, perform a physical examination, and conduct special hearing tests such as an audiogram.
Other important tests:
Auditory brain stem response (ABR), tests the hearing nerves and brain pathways CT scan MRI scan to rule out a tumor
Treatment:
Tinnitus does not have a specific cure, however it can be managed with the introduction of other noises into your environment. This will allow focusing on another sound other than the ringing in your ears. This condition can be temporary or it can be a lifelong affliction.
Prevention:
If you have a chronic disease such as hypertension, make sure to keep your blood pressure within normal limits. You can reduce your risks of getting tinnitus by avoiding loud noises, keeping blood pressure within normal limits, reducing stress and fatigue, and taking no more than the recommended dosage of medications that can cause tinnitus, such as aspirin.
Another tool at your disposal that is also cost effective in the fight against Tinnitus is introducing another sound into the room. This additional noise can be from a fan or anything else that allows you to focus on it rather than the buzzing in your ears. Referred to as “white noise” these distracting sounds are highly effective in combating Tinnitus.
Always consult with a physician if you suspect you may have Tinnitus. Always remember, a little white noise is a healthy way to eradicate the blues of the buzzing ear.
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who loves to write and share her knowledge with others. She is a featured writer on Clivir.com where she shared more information about Signs Of Hearing Loss and Hearing Loss Nerve Damage.
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