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Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Head and Neck Surgery
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus
is
not
itself
a
disease
but
a
symptom
resulting
from
a
range
of
underlying
multiple
causes.
Although
it
is
often
assumed
that
tinnitus
occurs
as
a
result
of
disease
of
the
ears,
this
is
often
not
the
case.
Despite
the
years
of
scientific
research,
the
precise
cause
of
tinnitus
is
still
not
fully
understood.
However,
it
is
usually
associated
with
some
hearing
deficits,
commonly
age-related
hearing
loss
(known
as
'presbyacusis'),
noise-
induced hearing loss (especially those exposed to loud music, or noisy working environment).
Other
than
hearing
loss,
common
ear
causes
include
ear
infections,
foreign
objects
or
wax
in
the
ear,
nose
allergies
that
prevent
(or
induce)
fluid
drain
and
cause
wax
build-up.
It
can
also
be
due
to
Meniere's
disease
(a
type
of
vertigo
illness),
acoustic
neuroma
(a
type
of
tumor
of
the
hearing
nerve).
Your
ENT
doctor
should
be
able
to
exclude
the
common
ear
causes
by
examining
your
ears
and
determining
your
hearing
level
through
a
test called 'pure tone audiometry (PTA)'.
However,
a
person
without
ear
problems
can
still
suffer
from
tinnitus.
There
are
many
commonly-used
medications
that
can
cause
tinnitus,
such
as
aspirin,
some
antibiotics
(eg.
gentamicin,
chloramphenicol,
erythromycin,
vancomycin
etc.),
diuretics
furosemide,
quinine,
some
chemotherapy
drugs and many others. Head injuries can also increase the likelihood of tinnitus.
Therefore, a person can still have tinnitus despite having normal level of hearing and no other obvious medical causes. In fact, in many cases, no
exact underlying physical cause can be identified.
Who gets tinnitus?
Experiences
of
tinnitus
are
very
common
in
all
age
groups,
especially
following
exposure
to
loud
noise;
however,
it
is
unusual
for
it
to
be
a
major
problem.
There
is
a
widely
held
misconception
that
tinnitus
is
confined
to
the
elderly,
but
various
studies
have
shown
that
it
can
occur
at
any
age,
even
quite
young
children.
Mild
tinnitus
is
common
-
about
10%
of
the
population
have
it
all
the
time
and,
in
up
to
1%
of
adults,
this
may
affect
the
quality
of
their
life.
Chronic
tinnitus
can
be
quite
stressful
psychologically,
as
it
distracts
the
affected
individual
from
mental
tasks
and
interferes
with
sleep, particularly when there is no external sound.
So what is the treatment for tinnitus ?
Possible
causes
should
be
reversed,
eg.
to
remove
ear
wax
in
a
clogged
ear
canal,
treat
any
ear
infection,
withdraw/substitute
any
offending
drugs.
In a person with hearing loss, a hearing aid may also help.
However,
if
no
possible
causes
are
elicited,
treatment
may
be
difficult.
Over
the
years,
many
treatments
have
been
tried
and
tested
to
treat
tinnitus
but
till
today,
convincing
evidence
is
still
lacking.
Although
many
'miracle
cures'
have
been
claimed,
they
remain
questionable.
To
add
to
the
dilemma, tinnitus can improve or deteriorate spontaneously even without treatment.
Various
treatments
that
have
been
tried
include:
Ginkgo
biloba,
lignocaine,
nerve
tonics,
mutilvitamins,
zinc
supplements,
sedatives,
avoidance
of
caffeine, nicotine, salt. Some even claimed consuming more alcohol cure them of tinnitus !
Hearing
aids
with
or
without
tinnitus
maskers
may
work
for
some.
Nowadays,
special
music
therapy
have
also
been
tried
on
tinnitus
patients
in
order to help them adapt better to the constant ringing sound
Understanding the myths of tinnitus
"Will my tinnitus drive me insane?" There have been no reported cases of tinnitus causing insanity
"Will it get louder?" Generally not, though it can wax and wane.
"Will
it
continue
forever?"
Although
there
are
cases
where
tinnitus
has
spontaneously
disappeared,
it
is
the
exception
rather
than
the
rule.
It
is
best
to
assume
that
you
have
it
for
the
longer
term
and
learn
to
manage it.
"It can't be cured." There are many researchers that are working on more fully understanding tinnitus,
however do not live in hope of a miracle cure. Learn to manage it and get on with your life.
"I will have no more peace and quiet." Very rarely do we have absolute quiet. Most times there are
ambient and environmental noises around us. Being in an absolutely quiet environment is unnatural for
humans. You are still able to enjoy peace and tranquility.
"It will interfere with my concentration." The ability to concentrate will improve over time as you habituate
to the tinnitus.
"It will affect my sleep." Particularly in the early stages medication may be required to obtain a full night sleep, but in time you will return to normal
sleep patterns.
If you think you have tinnitus...
Try to relax.
Don't worry, be happy
Although
there
are
no
specific
cures
for
tinnitus,
anything
that
calms
you
down
helps
tinnitus
recede
over
a
period
of
time.
Basically,
learn
to
relax
and
do
not
worry
!
(Therefore,
in
the
name
of
relaxation,
calming
body-based
therapies,
counselling
and
psychotherapy
are
sometimes
recommended)
•
Learn
to
reduce
your
stress
level
(at
home,
work
etc).
Practise
relaxation
and
take
time
out
for
yourself
can
also
be
a
great
help.
Stress
can
increase tinnitus !
•
If
the
noises
seem
louder
at
quiet
times,
particularly
during
the
night,
it
may
help
to
have
soothing
music
or
some
other
environmental
or
natural sound
quietly on in the background. It helps with the relaxation as well.
•
Know
the
importance
of
not
focusing
on
your
tinnitus.
The
more
a
person
focuses
on
their
tinnitus,
the
louder
it
will
appear
and
the
more
distressed
they
will
become.
Learn
to
shift
your
focus
from
the
tinnitus
to
something
more
pleasurable
eg.
walking,
gardening,
reading,
listening
to
relaxing
music
or
any
activity
that
you
enjoy
that
absorbs
your
mind.
Many
people
say
that
they
notice
tinnitus
less
when
they
are
doing something (i.e distraction). Keeping your mind occupied helps.
•
Receive
adequate rest
each day; if necessary, seek medical help to sleep well at night.
•
Avoid
loud
noise
as
it
will
exacerbate
tinnitus.
Ear
muffs
or
ear-plugs
should
be
worn
when
activities
such
as
mowing
the
lawn
or
using
a
chainsaw
are
undertaken.
Venues
such
as
nightclubs
or
entertainment
venues
that
have
excessively
loud
noise
should
be
avoided
or
ear
protection used.
What is tinnitus ?:
The
word
“tinnitus”
is
derived
form
the
Latin
word
“Tinnire”,
which
means
“to
ring”.
Hence,
“tinnitus”
is
the
name
given
to
the
condition
of
noises
ringing
'in
the
ears'
and/or
'in
the
head'
with
no
external
source.
Tinnitus
noises
are
described
variously
as
ringing,
whistling,
buzzing
and humming.
The
noise/s
may
be
heard
in
one
ear,
both
ears
or
in
the
middle
of
the
head
or
it
may
be
difficult
to
pinpoint
its
exact
location.
The
noise
may
be
low,
medium
or
high-pitched.
There
may
be
a
single
noise
or
two
or
more
components.
The
noise
may
be
continuous
or
it
may
come
and
go.
Tinnitus is very common and you're not alone !
This patient education is provided in good faith to help patients and their families learn more about their medical conditions, the options available to them and the possible consequences of
their decisions. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis, or treatment of any specific individual. Please consult with your ENT doctor regarding your particular circumstances.
Copyright Vincent Specialist Solutions Sdn Bhd 2016. All rights reserved
Last update: 10/1/13
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