Tinnitus is the perception of sound or sound playing in the ears. A common problem, it affects about 15 to 20 percent of people. It is not a condition in itself – it is a symptom of an underlying condition associated with age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory disorder. It occurs when we consciously hear a sound that comes from no other source outside the body. It is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying problem. Most of the time, it moves slowly. In some people, the noise can interfere with concentration or cause anxiety or frustration. Tinnitus may be related to some degree of hearing loss.
Tinnitus is very common, affecting an estimated 50 million adults in the United States For most people, the condition is simply boring. In severe cases, however, it can cause people to concentrate and have trouble sleeping. Although it can worsen with age, in many cases, tinnitus can improve with treatment. Treating an identified underlying cause sometimes helps. Other treatments lower the noise or mask, making tinnitus less noticeable. Other causes include cardiovascular disease or blood vessels Meniere’s disease, brain tumors, certain actions for drug contact, previous head injury, ear joints, and mental stress. This is more commonly seen in people who are depressed.
The diagnosis of tinnitus is usually based on the person’s description. This is usually supported by an audiogram and neurological examination. The degree of interference with a person’s life can be quantified by a questionnaire. Some instances of tinnitus are ear infections or blockages, and once the underlying cause is treated, the tinnitus disappears. Often, however, tinnitus persists after treating the underlying condition. Some instances of tinnitus are ear infections or blockages, and once the underlying cause is treated, the tinnitus disappears. Often, however, tinnitus persists after treating the underlying condition. Other tests are appropriate when tinnitus occurs with the same rhythm as heart failure. The term can rarely be heard by anyone else using a stethoscope, in this case, it is known as object tinnitus.
In muscular tinnitus, the term is often described as a “click” and is usually associated with myoclonus, which affects the muscles near or inside the ear. Myoclonus is an abnormal muscle or muscle that causes abnormal muscle contraction and relaxation. Until 2013 there was no effective drug. This is common, affecting about 10-15% of people. Most, however, tolerate it well and it is a significant problem in only 1-2% of people. The word tinnitus comes from a Latin tin meaning “to ring.”
