What is tinnitus?
It is when you feel a ringing sound or other noises in one or both ears.
the sound you feel when you have tinnitus is not external and other people do not hear it
Tinnitus is a common problem, affecting between 15% and 20% of the population and is particularly prevalent in older adults.
types of tinnitus sounds:
1.- Snapping (muscle)
2.- Buzzing (blood vessels + high blood pressure)
3.- ringing with low tone
4.- ringing with low tone
Causes
They are usually due to an underlying condition or are hidden.
1.- Age-related hearing loss
2.- A lesion of the ear: TU of the auditory nerve (acoustic neurinoma).
3.- Acute otitis media
4.- Earwax plug
Medications: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics (aminoglycoside)
cancer drugs, diuretics, and antidepressants.
Other less frequent causes:
meniere's disease, eustachian tube dysfunction, temporomandibular joint disorder, blood vessel disorders (arteriosclerosis) and chronic conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
RISK FACTORS
Exposure to loud noises
2.- Age: as you get older
3.- sex: it is more frequent in men.
4.- tobacco and alcohol consumption
COMPLICATIONS
1.- fatigue
2.- stress
3.- insomnia
4.- memory and concentration problems
5.- anxiety
6.- headache
DIAGNOSIS
the diagnosis of tinnitus is usually based on the symptoms of tinnitus
1.- Hearing test
2.- otoneurological examination
3.-imaging tests T.C or R.M.
TREATMENT
1.- Eliminate the underlying cause of the ears
2.- fitting of hearing aids
3.- noise inhibition (with classical music)
4.- Psychological Counseling to control anxiety