DOC I HAVE TINNITUS
Tinnitus is the symptom of perception of sound in the human ear or head in the absence of external sounds.
It is not a illness.
The sound is sometimes accompanied by hearing loss and dizziness in a syndrome known as Meniere's diseas
It affects a large proportion of adult population.
Almost 12 percent of men who are 65 to 74 years of age are affected by tinnitus.
1.Construction site workers
2.MP3 player users
3.Rock concert goers
4.Gun and rifle users
The causes of Tinnitus are:
1.hearing loss is the most common cause.
Age or trauma to the ear (through noise, drugs, or chemicals)cause the damage of the portion of the ear for hearing (the cochlea) becomes damaged.
Because the cochlea do not send the normal signals to the brain, the brain becomes confused and essentially develops its own sound (the tinnitus) to make up for the lack of normal sound signals.
2.ear trauma is usually noticed in both ears, because both ears are usually exposed
3.the harmful effects of excessively loud noise from firearms, high intensity music, or other sources is a very common cause of tinnitus because of hearing damage
4.ear infection or excess wax in the ear can affect the ear.
5.drugs such as aspirin (if overused), aminoglycoside antibiotics and quinine may damage the hearing nerve.
6.brain tumor known as an acoustic neuroma which grow on the nerve that supplies hearing can cause tinnitus.
This tinnitus usually affects one ear unlike the hearing loss seen in both ears.
Signs & Symptoms
The sound that they perceive in the ear or head has been described as:
1.ringing,
2.whistling,
3.vacuuming,
4.hammering,
5.buzzing
6.humming sounds.
About 2% of tinnitus sufferers have:
1.Disturbed sleeping patterns.
2.Anxiety and depression.
3.Inability to relax and concentrate.
4.Sensitivity to loud sounds and noises.
5.A negative impact on work, family and social life.
An ENT doctor may be consulted for tinnitus:
1.When medical and/or surgical contraindications are not present.
2.family members are worried or concerned about the “non-stop” tinnitus.
3.Your sleep, concentration and general health is affected.
Exams and Tests
1.complete history and physical examination of the head and neck
2.A complete hearing test (audiogram)
3.auditory brainstem response
4.brain scan such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be required.
5.blood tests for hyperthyroidism may be taken.
6.spinal tap may be rarely performed to measure the fluid pressure in the skull and spinal cord.
Tinnitus is the symptom of perception of sound in the human ear or head in the absence of external sounds.
It is not a illness.
The sound is sometimes accompanied by hearing loss and dizziness in a syndrome known as Meniere's diseas
It affects a large proportion of adult population.
Almost 12 percent of men who are 65 to 74 years of age are affected by tinnitus.
1.Construction site workers
2.MP3 player users
3.Rock concert goers
4.Gun and rifle users
The causes of Tinnitus are:
1.hearing loss is the most common cause.
Age or trauma to the ear (through noise, drugs, or chemicals)cause the damage of the portion of the ear for hearing (the cochlea) becomes damaged.
Because the cochlea do not send the normal signals to the brain, the brain becomes confused and essentially develops its own sound (the tinnitus) to make up for the lack of normal sound signals.
2.ear trauma is usually noticed in both ears, because both ears are usually exposed
3.the harmful effects of excessively loud noise from firearms, high intensity music, or other sources is a very common cause of tinnitus because of hearing damage
4.ear infection or excess wax in the ear can affect the ear.
5.drugs such as aspirin (if overused), aminoglycoside antibiotics and quinine may damage the hearing nerve.
6.brain tumor known as an acoustic neuroma which grow on the nerve that supplies hearing can cause tinnitus.
This tinnitus usually affects one ear unlike the hearing loss seen in both ears.
Signs & Symptoms
The sound that they perceive in the ear or head has been described as:
1.ringing,
2.whistling,
3.vacuuming,
4.hammering,
5.buzzing
6.humming sounds.
About 2% of tinnitus sufferers have:
1.Disturbed sleeping patterns.
2.Anxiety and depression.
3.Inability to relax and concentrate.
4.Sensitivity to loud sounds and noises.
5.A negative impact on work, family and social life.
An ENT doctor may be consulted for tinnitus:
1.When medical and/or surgical contraindications are not present.
2.family members are worried or concerned about the “non-stop” tinnitus.
3.Your sleep, concentration and general health is affected.
Exams and Tests
1.complete history and physical examination of the head and neck
2.A complete hearing test (audiogram)
3.auditory brainstem response
4.brain scan such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be required.
5.blood tests for hyperthyroidism may be taken.
6.spinal tap may be rarely performed to measure the fluid pressure in the skull and spinal cord.
