Guide to Tinnitus Causes
You might have been wondering why you have ringing ears. There are a lot of factors that cause you to hear abnormal noises in the head. Before we talk about tinnitus causes, let us first describe what it is. It seems to be a disorder on its own, but in reality this tormenting condition is just a symptom of other conditions. Those who have tinnitus describe their symptoms as hearing noises that seem to be inside or hovering around the head. One thing common to all cases is that the noises are perceived without actual external auditory stimulation. Meaning, the source of the sound is purely sensorineural or internal in origin. The quality of noise is different from one person to another. Sounds can vary from ringing to buzzing to roaring.
Tinnitus causes may be apparently obvious but sometimes finding out the culprit is like looking for a needle in the haystack. Scientists have enumerated the causes as the following:
• Loud noise
• Aging
• Head trauma
• Stress
• Ear disorders or infections
• Ototoxic drugs
Loud noise is the leading cause of tinnitus. Frequent exposure to heavy noise destroys the delicate tissues in the inner ear. The destruction becomes evident through the perceived ringing. Heavy traffic, factory machinery, gunshots, and rock concerts generate noises that are on levels potentially damaging to the hearing. Loud music does the same.
As you age, the natural “wear and tear” processes affect even your ears. That is why the elderly is commonly affected by hearing impairment together with other bodily conditions.
A head trauma can injure the organs or tissues in the middle and inner ear. Stress on the other hand is an aggravating factor which worsens an existing tinnitus, but not necessarily one of the causes. However, some doctors believe that stress may give rise to the condition. Ear disorders and infections can cause perception of abnormal noises. A punctured eardrum for instance can cause one’s external hearing to be silenced. This prompts the brain to tune in to internal noise. Meniere’s disease, a rare condition affecting the inner ear, causes symptoms such as vertigo and tinnitus. Viral and bacterial infections in the middle or inner ear lead to ear ringing as well.
Some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs and aspirins are noted for ototoxicity – that is they cause temporary hearing impairment and tinnitus.
Specialists believe that diet and nutrition have something to do with the ear trouble. Deficiency in vitamins B complex, A, C and E and minerals like magnesium, copper and zinc is linked to abnormalities in the hearing system, and that a diet well supplemented by these nutrients should help ease the symptoms. Stress causing tinnitus is also being taken into consideration.
Tinnitus causes people to have less than normal lives, but coping with it is not that far from reality. Talk to experts and learn more about this condition.
