What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often referred to as "ringing in the ears" and is characterised by sounds that a person feels in the ear area without any external sound stimulus. These sounds can have different characteristics such as intensity, loudness, loudness and can be heard in one or both ears. These sounds can be described as humming, whooshing, buzzing, noise, sizzling, buzzing, pulsing, clicking, etc. It should be known that one in every three to ten people experience tinnitus at some point in their lives. In some cases, this sound is also called "head ringing" or "noise in the head".
Tinnitus is the term used for sounds that we hear in our own head or in our ears, without environmental sound stimuli. These sounds can be perceived as originating from one ear or both. Noises from the ear can be continuous or intermittent, so it can sometimes be difficult to identify specifically.
Although tinnitus is a condition that can be seen in all age groups, it is generally more common in older people. Tinnitus is more common among people with hearing loss or other ear problems. However, individuals with normal hearing can also develop tinnitus.
What are the Causes of Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is not fundamentally a disease, but a symptom that can be caused by many different causes. Because problems can occur at any point in the hearing system, tinnitus can be a reflection of problems in different parts of the hearing system. These include the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, auditory nerve, brain stem and brain. The causes that can cause tinnitus are quite varied. Examples include hearing loss, ear, nose and throat or sinus diseases, cardiovascular problems, inner ear and brain tumours, thyroid gland diseases, hormone changes and health problems such as Meniere's disease.
Some individuals may first recognise hearing loss by tinnitus. Hearing loss may cause tinnitus to be more common in the elderly, as it occurs in more elderly individuals. In addition, the effects of many medications on the inner ear are known to cause tinnitus secondary to inner ear problems and cardiovascular system. Higher rates of drug use in the elderly may increase the frequency of tinnitus.
In addition, prolonged exposure to noise above a certain level (e.g. working in a noisy workplace) or sudden exposure to a very loud sound (such as gunshots or explosions) can lead to hearing loss. This occurs when noise damages the sensory cells in the inner ear. Tinnitus is a common symptom in people with noise-induced hearing loss.
In addition to tinnitus felt only by the individual, in rare cases these sounds can also be heard by other people. This is called "objective tinnitus" and is often associated with muscular or vascular diseases.
While the causes of tinnitus can be quite different, in most cases no cause can be found. Depending on the severity, duration and characteristics of the sound, it is often not possible to determine whether the tinnitus is caused by a serious illness. Tinnitus or tinnitus is rarely associated with a life-threatening cause. However, it can negatively affect a person's quality of life and lead to problems such as burnout, depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Some people with tinnitus may experience difficulties with hearing, concentration and sleeping.
Approach to Tinnitus
Tinnitus is not a single disorder but can occur due to different causes. When no specific cause is identified, there are various approaches to reduce or manage tinnitus.
What are Tinnitus Treatment Methods - How Does Tinnitus Pass?
1. Medications: Medications that modify the effects on the auditory system or help relieve anxiety and depression may be useful in the management of tinnitus. Medications can be taken by mouth, administered intravenously, injected into a muscle, or given into the ear.
2. Hearing aids: Hearing aids can be effective in cases of tinnitus with hearing loss.
3. Masking: Sound-producing devices used with headphones can suppress or modify the sound of tinnitus, which can help relieve it.
4. Remote Listenable Sound Sources: Various sounds or sound-producing devices can mask the sound of tinnitus or make it more acceptable. This can help you relax and get a better sleep.
These approaches are the main methods of tinnitus management, but alternative treatment options such as herbal therapies, magnetic wave applications, laser treatments, biofeedback, matching and adaptation of tinnitus sound, and lifestyle changes can also be used.