A number of causes of Tinnitus
Millions of people suffer from tinnitus. However, the causes of tinnitus remain unidentified in many cases. Actually, a lot of factors can trigger or worsen tinnitus. As a result, it may be difficult to diagnose precisely because there is no one size fits all cause or treatment for your tinnitus.
However, understanding the underlying cause or causes is of paramount importance if you want to cure your tinnitus. The key is to treat the real cause/s of tinnitus and not just the symptoms.
So what are the most important causes of tinnitus?
1) Noise-induced tinnitus: By far, one of the most common causes of tinnitus.
• Extended exposure to loud noise:
Being exposed to any type of loud noise, especially if you are exposed regularly, can trigger tinnitus. For instance: if you work around machinery or spend a lot of time listening to deafening music
• Sudden loud noise:
Even a sudden loud noise as an explosion or blast can be a cause of tinnitus.
2) Age-related tinnitus:
For many people hearing worsens with age. This hearing loss can lead to tinnitus.
3) Earwax blockage:
The total amount of wax, ears create, varies by a person. A large amount of ear-wax may end up blocking the ear which can lead to tinnitus.
4) Ear infections:
Quite often an ear infection can trigger tinnitus.
5) Foreign objects in the ear:
An external object or even a trapped insect anywhere in the ear can also be a cause of tinnitus. The removal of the object or insect solves the problem.
6) Neck or Head injuries:
Head or neck injuries even if they aren't very serious can cause tinnitus. In some cases, the ringing goes away after the injury fully heals.
7) Sinus infections:
When you have a sinus infection, mucous accumulates in the ear which in turn leads to increased pressure. This pressure can cause tinnitus.
8) Otosclerosis:
This condition causes a hardening of the little bones in the ear. This is a hereditary condition and can also cause tinnitus.
9) Acoustic neuroma and other tumors:
Certain kinds of tumors can trigger tinnitus. Acoustic neuroma which is a non-cancerous (benign) tumor within the inner ear can also cause tinnitus. (Often in one ear).
10) Maniere's disease:
This is another cause of tinnitus. Doctors think that this serious disorder is caused by abnormal ear fluid pressure.
11) Certain medications:
Some drugs can often cause side effects, and unfortunately, tinnitus can be one of these side effects. Some of these drugs are antimalarials, antidepressants, arthritis medicines, diuretics, chemotherapy medicines, anti inflammatory medicines. Even quinine and aspirin can induce tinnitus. However, this is usually if the dosage is too high. In addition, abrupt withdrawal from Benzodiazepine which is used for anxiety and panic disorders can cause tinnitus.
12) Other causes
• Thyroid dysfunction:
This condition leads to hormonal disorder. Sometimes it affects the ears, and tinnitus may appear
• High blood pressure:
Hypertension arising from high blood pressure and other factors such as caffeine and alcohol can cause ringing in the ears.
• Atherosclerosis:
Here, major blood vessels near to your ear loose of easy virtue their elasticity which in turn can trigger tinnitus.
•TMJ disorder:
This is the joint on each side of the head and in front of the ears, where the lower bone of the jaw meets the skull. Problems with the TMJ such as arthritis are likely to cause tinnitus.
• AVM or Cerebral arteriovenous malformation:
This is a rare condition where there is an abnormal and malformed connection between blood vessels. If this occurs in the brain can cause tinnitus.
• Benign intracranial hypertension:
This is a condition where there is increased pressure in the brain, although there is no tumor. It can also lead to tinnitus.
• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:
Though it happens rarely pressure from impacted wisdom teeth is another cause of tinnitus
.• Multiple sclerosis, anemia, lyme disease, fibromyalgia, sleep paralysis and more can cause tinnitus.
• Poisoning with amalgam or mercury has also been blamed for tinnitus.
• Deficiency of vitamins A and B12 has also been associated with tinnitus.
• Stress, negative emotions and depression can also cause or worsen tinnitus.
Millions of people suffer from tinnitus. However, the causes of tinnitus remain unidentified in many cases. Actually, a lot of factors can trigger or worsen tinnitus. As a result, it may be difficult to diagnose precisely because there is no one size fits all cause or treatment for your tinnitus.
However, understanding the underlying cause or causes is of paramount importance if you want to cure your tinnitus. The key is to treat the real cause/s of tinnitus and not just the symptoms.
So what are the most important causes of tinnitus?
1) Noise-induced tinnitus: By far, one of the most common causes of tinnitus.
• Extended exposure to loud noise:
Being exposed to any type of loud noise, especially if you are exposed regularly, can trigger tinnitus. For instance: if you work around machinery or spend a lot of time listening to deafening music
• Sudden loud noise:
Even a sudden loud noise as an explosion or blast can be a cause of tinnitus.
2) Age-related tinnitus:
For many people hearing worsens with age. This hearing loss can lead to tinnitus.
3) Earwax blockage:
The total amount of wax, ears create, varies by a person. A large amount of ear-wax may end up blocking the ear which can lead to tinnitus.
4) Ear infections:
Quite often an ear infection can trigger tinnitus.
5) Foreign objects in the ear:
An external object or even a trapped insect anywhere in the ear can also be a cause of tinnitus. The removal of the object or insect solves the problem.
6) Neck or Head injuries:
Head or neck injuries even if they aren't very serious can cause tinnitus. In some cases, the ringing goes away after the injury fully heals.
7) Sinus infections:
When you have a sinus infection, mucous accumulates in the ear which in turn leads to increased pressure. This pressure can cause tinnitus.
8) Otosclerosis:
This condition causes a hardening of the little bones in the ear. This is a hereditary condition and can also cause tinnitus.
9) Acoustic neuroma and other tumors:
Certain kinds of tumors can trigger tinnitus. Acoustic neuroma which is a non-cancerous (benign) tumor within the inner ear can also cause tinnitus. (Often in one ear).
10) Maniere's disease:
This is another cause of tinnitus. Doctors think that this serious disorder is caused by abnormal ear fluid pressure.
11) Certain medications:
Some drugs can often cause side effects, and unfortunately, tinnitus can be one of these side effects. Some of these drugs are antimalarials, antidepressants, arthritis medicines, diuretics, chemotherapy medicines, anti inflammatory medicines. Even quinine and aspirin can induce tinnitus. However, this is usually if the dosage is too high. In addition, abrupt withdrawal from Benzodiazepine which is used for anxiety and panic disorders can cause tinnitus.
12) Other causes
• Thyroid dysfunction:
This condition leads to hormonal disorder. Sometimes it affects the ears, and tinnitus may appear
• High blood pressure:
Hypertension arising from high blood pressure and other factors such as caffeine and alcohol can cause ringing in the ears.
• Atherosclerosis:
Here, major blood vessels near to your ear loose of easy virtue their elasticity which in turn can trigger tinnitus.
•TMJ disorder:
This is the joint on each side of the head and in front of the ears, where the lower bone of the jaw meets the skull. Problems with the TMJ such as arthritis are likely to cause tinnitus.
• AVM or Cerebral arteriovenous malformation:
This is a rare condition where there is an abnormal and malformed connection between blood vessels. If this occurs in the brain can cause tinnitus.
• Benign intracranial hypertension:
This is a condition where there is increased pressure in the brain, although there is no tumor. It can also lead to tinnitus.
• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:
Though it happens rarely pressure from impacted wisdom teeth is another cause of tinnitus
.• Multiple sclerosis, anemia, lyme disease, fibromyalgia, sleep paralysis and more can cause tinnitus.
• Poisoning with amalgam or mercury has also been blamed for tinnitus.
• Deficiency of vitamins A and B12 has also been associated with tinnitus.
• Stress, negative emotions and depression can also cause or worsen tinnitus.
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