All about Tinnitus, by Dr. Cassandra Fynes
Tinnitus is the medical term for phantom sounds in the ear or ears. That is, the patient perceives sounds when there is no external source. If you’ve ever lain awake in a very quiet room and heard a high-pitched ringing or whining sound, you’ve experienced tinnitus. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this condition.
Q. WHAT CAUSES TINNITUS?
A. Some of the causes of tinnitus are the same as the causes of general hearing loss: infection, trauma, tumours, loud noises, and a build-up of earwax. Tinnitus can also be caused by misaligned jaws, thyroid disorders, fibromyalgia, and certain medications. Heart disease or high blood pressure, can also cause certain forms of tinnitus.
Q. I HEAR A PULSING SOUND INSTEAD OF A RINGING. IS THIS TINNITUS?
A. Yes. Tinnitus can be perceived in many forms, including hissing, clicking, roaring, and pulsing. The latter is known as pulsatile tinnitus. Though rare, it can usually be treated with medication. It occurs most often in patients with hypertension, heart murmur, or problems with the Eustachian tubes.
Q. IS THE NOISE LOUDER FOR SOME PEOPLE THAN FOR OTHERS?
A. Yes. Some people hear the sounds clearly, while others hear them faintly. Also, the sounds come and go for some sufferers, but remain constant for others. No two people experience tinnitus in exactly the same way.
Q. WILL EXPOSURE TO LOUD NOISES MAKE MY TINNITUS WORSE?
A. It can. If you suffer from tinnitus, you should avoid noisy events or wear protective earplugs. Some medications can also exacerbate tinnitus symptoms, as can alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and stress.
Q. HOW IS TINNITUS TREATED?
A. That depends on the source of the problem. Sometimes a good ear cleaning will remove impacted wax or other foreign objects causing the tinnitus. If the tinnitus is caused by a misaligned jaw, TMJ treatment might be recommended by your dentist. Sound amplification through a hearing aid or cochlear implant can increase the volume of other sounds, effectively drowning out the tinnitus. Drug, sound, and cognitive therapies have also been used to treat tinnitus.
If you hear ringing or other sounds with no apparent cause, talk to your doctor to set up a hearing evaluation and discuss treatment options.
Dr. Cassandra Fynes is a skilled audiologist. She provides hearing aids and other hearing loss treatments.
Comments
I am a PT sufferer. My noise level is fierce. I am interested in the Eustachian tubes reference in the article. What can my doctor do to see if this is the cause?
Also, have you used an Otoscope (amplified stethoscope) to try to hear the pulsing sound in your patients? I have heard that such a device is available but I have not been able to find a doctor who has one.
Looking forward to your reply. Thanks.
Posted by: DPM | July 24, 2009 09:09 AM
I have problem my ringing ear everyday can't stop. I went to see my regular Doctor and he said have my allergic cause ringing so my Dr want me go see ENT (Eye,Nose and ear) He said check my sinus fine and keep rinse sinus everyday. Last Dec I was surgery my sinus removed polyp. And then go see my regular Doctor I told them everything. I have problem with high blood pressure and low oxygen was 87 and now is 97. Dr gave me RX for high blood pressure. He ask try go Audiology to see what happen. Now I'm hearing loss for 2 month to present.
Posted by: Edward Zozaya | August 27, 2009 05:38 AM
I have just been disaognosed as profoundly deaf in by left ear because of a possilbe blood clot, but why is it I can hear a constant hissing sound in it
Posted by: Lynda Webster | September 24, 2009 05:22 PM