People affected with tinnitus hear a persistent noise or ringing in the ears. While not normally a sign of something serious, Tinnitus can be quite bothersome and may affect 1 in 5 adults. Tinnitus may be a symptom of age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder.
Symptoms may include the following types of noises:
To diagnose the underlying cause of tinnitus your doctor will first perform a hearing exam. Once the hearing exam is complete, based on the results your doctor may request an imaging test, such as a CT Scan or an MRI to further assist in your diagnosis.
Treatment of tinnitus is based on the underlying causes. Hearing aids, white noise machines and other devices can mask your tinnitus and help you hear more clearly.
The most common causes of Tinnitus are the following:
Natural hearing loss. Age related hearing loss for people over the age of 60 is the leading cause of tinnitus.
Loud Noises. Exposure to loud noises can cause permanent damage to your ears causing tinnitus.
Ear wax Blockage. Severe ear wax blockage can irritate the eardrum causing hearing loss, resulting in tinnitus.
Ear Bone Problems. Stiffening of the bones located in the middle ear can lead to tinnitus.
To diagnose the underlying cause of tinnitus your doctor will first perform a hearing exam. Once the hearing exam is complete, based on the results your doctor may request an imaging test, such as a CT Scan or an MRI to further assist in your diagnosis.
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