Tinnitus is not limited to a few potential causes; it could be any one of these.
Tinnitus is a somewhat mysterious condition affecting over 10 million people in the United States alone. It is a difficult condition to deal with, and many often suffer from sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating, and even depression. Clarity Audiology often sees patients with tinnitus, and has successfully helped them get the treatment they need to alleviate the symptoms. Successful treatment begins with knowing the root cause: do any of these potential causes of tinnitus apply to you?
Potential Causes of Tinnitus
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss seems to be the most common cause of tinnitus. Noise-induced hearing loss damages some part of the ear; many audiologists believe that it damages the hair cells in the cochlea, which transfer sound to the brain.
Head Trauma
Head trauma can also cause ringing ears, although many cases are temporary, thankfully. If you or anyone you know has tinnitus, it could be the result of injury to the auditory nerve leading to the brain or the part of the brain that processes sound.
Injury to or Blockage in the Ear
An injury or blockage in the ear covers many possible issues. A blockage in the ear could mean a foreign object or inflammation in the ear. Inflammation could happen because of an ear infection or a TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder.) There could also be congestion in the eustachian tubes due to a cold or allergies, or a blockage from a tumor or growth.
Blood Circulation Issues
Pulsatile tinnitus is a potential symptom in someone who has anemia, high blood pressure, or blocked arteries. The ears are one of the first organs to show that something is off with another part of the body, especially where blood circulation is concerned. The ears rely on proper blood circulation to function, so any blood issue could result in tinnitus.
Chemical Issues: Medicine & Stress
Some medications can cause tinnitus, particularly ototoxic medications. These include over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Online, you can find lists of ototoxic drugs that have this potential side effect. Stress can also be a factor in causing tinnitus, although tinnitus often induces stress.
Genetics
It is possible that tinnitus is genetic, or that you are genetically predisposed to developing tinnitus. No matter the cause, Clarity Audiology is here to help you in Baltimore, MD.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.