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The Real Root Cause of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a condition characterized by hearing sounds or noises in one or both ears, which are not caused by any external sound source and cannot be heard by others. This condition affects around 15% to 20% of people and is more common in older adults.
Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying problem, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury or a problem with the circulatory system. For many individuals, this infection boosts with therapy of the underlying reason or with other therapies that reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less visible.
Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is typically caused by damage to the middle or internal ear.
The middle ear receives sound waves, and the transmission of these waves results in electrical impulses being transmitted to the brain through your internal ear.
When your brain approves these signals and also converts them into sounds, you can hear them. It is possible for your inner ear to suffer damage, which changes the way in which your brain refines sound.
In addition, damage to the eardrum or the small bones in the middle ear can prevent noise from being transmitted correctly. Ringing in the ears can also be caused by tumors in the ear or on the acoustic nerve.
Common Causes of Tinnitus
The following are some of the causes of tinnitus in many people:
1. Hearing loss
When your ear receives acoustic waves, your internal ear (cochlea) moves small, delicate hair cells. As a result of this activity, electric signals are triggered along the nerve that connects your ear to your brain (the auditory nerve). These signals are translated into audio by your brain.
2. Ear infection or ear canal blockage
Fluid (ear infection), earwax, dust, and other foreign materials can clog your ear canals. Tinnitus may be caused by a clog altering the pressure in your ear.
3. Head or neck injuries
Head and neck injuries can affect the inner ear, hearing nerves, or brain features related to hearing. Tinnitus usually affects only one ear after such injuries.
4. Medications
There are several medications that may trigger or aggravate tinnitus. There is usually a negative correlation between the dosage of these drugs and the severity of the side effects. When you stop taking these medicines, the undesirable sound usually goes away.
Tinnitus can be caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and specific prescription antibiotics, cancer medicines, water pills (diuretics), antimalarial medicines, and antidepressants.
Other causes of tinnitus
Tinnitus can also be caused by other ear issues, persistent health problems, and injuries to the nerves or hearing center in your head.
1. Meniere’s disease
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition caused by unusual liquid pressure inside the ear canal that can cause tinnitus as one of its early signs.
2. Eustachian tube dysfunction
When you have this condition, the ear tube connecting your middle ear to your throat is constantly broadened, creating a sense of completeness in your ear.
3. Ear bone changes
The stiffness or hardening of bones in the middle ear, a condition known as otosclerosis, is a common cause of tinnitus. This condition is often hereditary and results from abnormal bone growth.
4. Muscle spasms in the inner ear
A spasm in the inner ear’s muscles can cause tinnitus, hearing loss, and a sensation of fullness in the ear. There are times when this happens for no apparent reason, but it can also be caused by neurological diseases, such as several sclerosis.
5. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
Tinnitus can be caused by problems with the TMJ, a joint on each side of your head where your lower jawbone meets your skull.
6. Acoustic neuroma or other head and neck tumors
There are several types of acoustic neuromas, although the most common type is benign (noncancerous). This type of tumor develops on the cranial nerve that runs from the brain to the inner ear and controls balance and hearing. Tinnitus can also be caused by other head, neck, or brain tumors.
7. Blood vessel disorders
Blood can move through veins and arteries more forcefully if you have conditions that affect your blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, or kinked or malformed vessels. Tinnitus may be caused or made more noticeable by changes in blood flow.
Other chronic conditions
Tinnitus can be linked to various health conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid issues, migraines, anemia, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.