What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the medical term for the sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. Most sufferers describe the sound as "ringing in ears," though others describe it as hissing, buzzing, whistling, roaring and even chirping.
For some, tinnitus is mild and an intermittent annoyance. For others, it's severe and can have a profound effect on their quality of life. But for everyone, finding tinnitus relief is a high priority.
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Jacinta Larkin
What causes tinnitus?
- Loud noises and hearing loss - Exposure to loud noises can destroy the non-regenerative cilia (tiny hairs) in the cochlea, causing permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
- Aging – As you age, those same cilia gradually deteriorate, which can lead to tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
- Ototoxic medications – Some prescription medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and antidepressants are harmful to the inner ear as well as the nerve fibers connecting the cochlea to the brain.
- Hearing conditions – Conditions such as otosclerosis and Ménière’s disease are known to cause tinnitus.
- Health conditions – Tinnitus can also be a symptom of health conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stress and head injuries