The Sounds of Tinnitus
The onset of a sound like a ringing in the ear can be started by a sudden loud bang, continuous exposure to noise or perhaps to an underlying health problem. The medical lable for ringing in the ear is tinnitus. The word tinnitus is a Latin word that strictly means ringing. Ringing in the ear then is probably a symptom of tinnitus.
The sounds of Tinnitus are very common. That is especially so amongst people of 55 years of age and over. In many instances the ringing in the ears causes only a mild nuisance. For others unfortunately the sounds are distracting enough to interrupt sleep patterns and can even finnish in hearing problems.
If on the other hand the sounds of tinnitus are coupled with dizziness or vertigo it may perhaps be a symptom of an ear infection or wax build up. If coupled with dizziness, hearing loss and a sensation of fullness in the ears it could that these are symptoms of Meniere’s disease, which is brought on by a build up of fluid in the inner ear.
The most frequent instigator of ear ringing is exposure to loud sounds. Permanent hearing damage can be certainly related to an over exposure to loud noise. In the workplace protective measures are usually taken to protect hearing for that reason.
Perhaps surprisingly, it is often the case that the damage is done whilst we enjoy ourselves. For example going to concerts or clubs where loud music is played. Similarly the now common practice of listening to loud music through earphones can damage hearing. All of these situations can be catalyst for or the cause of Tinnitus.
There is a good evidence that certain nutritional deficiencies can lead to the onset of the symptoms of tinnitus. Zinc is believed to be commonly deficient in peoples diets. Zinc is one of the minerals essential to our wellbeing. Recommended daily intake is 8mg for women and 11mg for men. Many tinnitus sufferers would profit from taking a balanced nutrient supplement.
Otolaryngologists often suggest a formula containing vitamins C, B1, B2, niacin, B6, B12, pantothenic acid, choline, inositol and bioflavonoids as a tinnitus treatment. It has been put forward that the symptoms of Meniere’s disease can be positively affected by such a combination too.
Melatonin supplements are sometimes recommended when the ear ringing interferes with sleep. Low serotonin activity may contribute to the problem. Serotonin and melatonin work together to regulate sleep cycles and other biological processes.
Whiplash or any head and neck injury can result in the sounds of tinnitus. Fortunately the symptom of tinnitus usually disappear as the injury recovers. Tinnitus can also be brought on as a result of taking certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Aspirin has been known to be one of those causes.
As with all medical complaints if the sounds of tinnitus persists or worsens it is always best to seek the advice of a doctor.
Tinnitus is a condition where only the sufferer can hear ringing or other types of noise, which is not present in real life. The ringing can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head as well. Although many tinnitus cases are not that severe, the endless ringing, swishing and buzzing in the ear or head is very irritating, and inevitably causes a lot of inconvenience and trouble to the sufferer.
Depending on the causes of tinnitus, sometimes the condition resolves eventually. It is important to know that tinnitus on its own is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying problem. In rare cases, tinnitus can be a sign of more serious underlying health issue, may be a brain tumor or an disorder in the brain (e.g. aneurysm).
With regard to the symptoms of tinnitus, they can actually be very different from one person to another. Typically the symptom is a ringing sound or a high-pitched sound. Some describe the sound they hear as buzzing, hissing, whistling, clicking, ticking, roaring, “crickets”. Some say they heard whooshing sound, just like the waves and wind.
No matter what form of sound is heard in the person’s ears or head, the sound is there all the time to irritate you. Even if the sound seems to vanish, it is only for temporary. The intensity of tinnitus symptoms may be altered as the person move his or her shoulder, hear, tongue, jaw or eye.
A lot of people have tinnitus without being aware of it. Actually, there are physical and emotional symptoms associated with, or as a result of, tinnitus. Being aware of these symptoms of tinnitus and the related discomfort may help a person realize something is wrong in time, so that he or she can seek help as soon as possible.
Possible physical symptoms of tinnitus include dizziness (vertigo), sleep disturbances, neck and shoulder pain, ear pain, migraines, jaw pain, sweaty palms and blurred vision.
For emotional symptoms of tinnitus, they may include anxiety, moodiness, depression, lack of concentration, memory problem, and irritability.
The type of ringing or sound you hear may depend on the type of tinnitus you have.
The sounds associated with cochlea damage tinnitus can be ringing bells, chirping sounds, cricket sounds, hissing and fluttering sounds, roaring, and a high frequency noise.
The noises associated with stress- and traumatic live events-induced tinnitus include ringing, whizzing and whooshing, whistling, rushing and a roaring like a waterfall.
The sounds normally associated with tinnitus from sinus are such as high-pitched ringing, gurgling and whirring sounds, clicking or cracking sounds, and a ringing tone that occurs sporadically.
Based on the type of noise you hear, you can roughly predict the root cause of your tinnitus. Nevertheless, a visit to your doctor to determine the underlying problem to your ringing ears is necessary. You can then choose one or more treatments for tinnitus to treat your symptoms of tinnitus.