Tinnitus Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Perceiving sounds that do not come from the environment but are generated by the hearing system is known as tinnitus. This sound may take the form of a hum, vibration or ringing. It becomes especially noticeable in quiet environments or at night. This sound may develop not only as sounds generated by the hearing system that do not come from the environment, but also as a reflection of various sounds within the body.

What Is Tinnitus?

Sound taken in from the ear causes the eardrum to vibrate, and the vibration is transmitted through the vibrating ossicles to the inner ear. Here it is converted into electrical energy. The cells in the inner ear, which are set in motion, convert these waves into sound. Tinnitus is a perception of sound by the person even though there is no source for it. When these ringing sounds continue for longer than 3 months, they are described as chronic, although their causes are not fully certain. However, it is thought that problems such as hearing loss may contribute to this condition. In some people, this ringing develops in proportion to the pulse. This ringing is usually caused by blood flowing faster than normal through various vessels located near the ears. Tinnitus can be heard as a rhythmic ringing that the person can perceive, at different pitches. The pitch and character of the sound may change from time to time. It may also be heard in only one ear at times, and in both ears at other times. For some people, this persistent sound is disturbing. However, in most cases these ringing sounds disappear within a short time.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus has several causes. The most common cause is exposure to loud noise or prolonged presence in a noisy place. However, it can sometimes also appear as a sign of other medical conditions, such as ear infections or inner ear disorders. Sometimes it is caused by earwax accumulation in the ear, and this condition is resolved by cleaning the ear. Tinnitus can occur when there is a problem with the sense of hearing in the ears and parts of the brain. This ringing may be seen more often in people with a hearing problem, especially hearing loss. However, at times temporary ringing may also occur in people whose ears have no problem. Tinnitus can occur in both adults and children. Because hearing problems that develop with advancing age are more common, tinnitus may also be encountered more frequently. However, if this ringing worsens over time, does not go away for a long time, and affects the person's daily life or hearing, it is necessary to apply to a healthcare institution. This is because tinnitus may be a sign of an injury or dysfunction in the inner ear. At the same time, persistent tinnitus may develop as a result of permanent hearing loss that is caused by age or noise. If tinnitus is not temporary, its possible causes are the following:

Hearing problems

Hearing of heartbeat

Vascular problems

Earwax / eardrum perforation

Calcification of the ossicles

Iron deficiency

Atherosclerosis

Middle ear muscle spasm

Exposure to loud noise

Head and neck trauma

Temporomandibular joint disorder

Use of various medications

What Are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?

Tinnitus causes a ringing sound to be heard in the ears even though there is no sound coming from outside. Apart from ringing, other faint sounds may also occur. This may happen in only one ear or in both ears. Tinnitus can negatively affect the ability to concentrate, sleep or work. In some people it may lead to the development of depression or anxiety. Rarely, body sounds arising from a serious health problem may also be perceived as ringing. For this reason, people who experience sudden changes in their body accompanied by ringing that cannot be explained should also be examined by a doctor. Especially if other problems such as difficulty walking, balance problems or difficulty seeing occur, the ringing is likely to be caused by another health problem.

How Is Tinnitus Diagnosed?

Although tinnitus is usually a condition that can be diagnosed when the sound heard is described, various examinations may be needed even if there is an underlying serious cause. During the physical examination, checks focusing on the head, neck, eyes, ears and nervous system are carried out. First, the doctor may listen to the neck or skull with a stethoscope to determine whether the sound comes from a source. In this case, if no sound can be detected, there is probably a tinnitus condition that is not related to a source. However, if a sound is detected by the doctor, this means that a sound developing within the body is causing the ringing in the ear. In this case, imaging techniques may be used depending on other symptoms. Doppler ultrasound can be used to see how blood flows through the blood vessels in the neck. At the same time, a detailed image of the head, neck and blood vessels in these regions can be obtained with computed tomography.

What Are the Types of Tinnitus?

Although tinnitus is a perception of sound without a source, there are different types. The types of tinnitus are the following:

Subjective Tinnitus: Subjective tinnitus is when the person hears imaginary sounds. The ringing that occurs can only be heard by that person and there is no sound source. This type of tinnitus may occur due to causes such as hearing loss.

Objective Tinnitus: This tinnitus, which is not very common, occurs when the cause of the noise is a condition affecting the mechanical structures near the ears, such as high blood pressure or muscle contractions. This ringing is not loud enough to be heard from a distance, but a sound source exists within the body. During examination, the doctor may identify it using a stethoscope or a sensitive microphone.

Pulsatile Tinnitus: When a rhythmic sound arises in the ear related to blood vessels near the ears, this may also be perceived as tinnitus. This rhythmic sound usually matches the heart rate and may be heard as fast or loud. Pulsatile tinnitus may be caused by a vascular tumor, a blood vessel disorder such as atherosclerosis, or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, which is pressure buildup inside the skull.

What Are the Treatment Methods for Tinnitus?

If tinnitus does not arise from sounds originating from a source, no treatment is needed and it may resolve on its own within a short time. However, when it develops due to problems within the body, it may be possible to eliminate the tinnitus by treating those problems. The first step in treating tinnitus is to treat the underlying problem. Afterwards, options are applied that help to alleviate tinnitus and minimize the effect of this symptom on the person's quality of life. If the cause of tinnitus is a problem arising from atherosclerosis, it may be necessary to prescribe medication for its treatment. Likewise, if there is earwax accumulation in the ear, the problem may be resolved by removing this wax. In pulsatile tinnitus, therapies may be applied so that the ringing caused by the constant sound of the heartbeat does not affect the person's life. If the ringing is caused by hearing loss, it may be necessary to amplify this sound with hearing aids. These therapies help people learn how to pay less attention to the noise inside their heads. Correcting hearing loss with hearing aids can alleviate tinnitus.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tinnitus;

Tinnitus alone does not cause a health problem; it may be a symptom of sudden hearing loss. However, chronic tinnitus caused by another health problem may be bothersome. The ringing that occurs may negatively affect the person's daily life. In particular, it may lead to problems such as difficulty concentrating or being unable to focus. In addition, the person may experience psychological difficulties as a result of being affected by these ringing sounds and their underlying causes. Tinnitus alone is not a condition that requires treatment. If the ringing continues for a long time, examinations carried out by a physician specialized in the field will help identify the underlying cause. Treating this cause also helps eliminate the tinnitus. In infants, tinnitus may not be related to any cause, or it may develop due to serious problems. These problems include ear infections, exposure to loud environments or head injuries. Paying attention to general health is among the most basic measures for protecting against health problems that may cause tinnitus. Likewise, addressing hearing problems and paying attention to ear hygiene may also prevent ringing that could arise for these reasons. Tinnitus is usually short-term and temporary. In some people it may become long-term and chronic. Especially ringing caused by the pulse may be perceived as permanent. However, this is a reflection of the heartbeat sound within the body. Tinnitus does not cause any symptom other than the perception of sound. However, if there is an underlying health problem behind the tinnitus, this may cause pain in the ear. In particular, earwax accumulation or vascular problems may be among the causes of pain. People with tinnitus that persists for a long time, or who experience serious discomfort from it, may need to be examined at a healthcare institution. Some symptoms that seem simple may arise as a result of serious health problems. If you have tinnitus that does not go away for a long time, or if the ringing is accompanied by other symptoms, you can make an appointment to have the necessary examinations.

Tinnitus may be a harbinger of a serious condition that can negatively affect quality of life. If tinnitus persists for a long time or is severe, we recommend that you consult an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist without delay.

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