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Department of Otolaryngology

Conditions We Treat

Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus?

You may be diagnosed with tinnitus if you hear, either on an irregular or continuous basis, a noise or "ringing" in the ears. The noise is caused by some dysfunction within the ear, and usually cannot be heard by anyone else.

What Are the Symptoms?

Subjective tinnitus is diagnosed when someone hears a constant noise in the ears, usually described as a ringing, clicking, roaring or hissing sound. No one else can hear this noise because it comes from within the ear.

Objective tinnitus may, at times, be heard by others, and is typically the result of abnormalities in the blood vessels surrounding the ears.

Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus results from temporary or permanent damage to the microscopic endings of the nerves in the inner ear. Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from extremely minor and temporary causes to being an indication of a much more serious condition. Common causes of tinnitus include:

  • A small plug of wax lodged in the ear canal
  • Middle ear infection
  • Advancing age
  • Exposure to loud noises
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Certain medications
  • Injury to the head or neck
  • Brain tumor

Diagnosing Tinnitus

Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms, will complete a physical exam and may prescribe various tests to diagnose tinnitus and to determine the cause. Tests may include a hearing test, x-rays, a CT scan and/or an MRI.

Treatment Options

It is difficult to treat effectively treat tinnitus because treatment depends completely upon the cause, which is not always easy to determine. In addition, if tinnitus is caused by permanent damage to the nerve endings within the ear, there is no way to correct this damage. Following are some of the most common treatments:

Lifestyle

  • Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises
  • Check and control your blood pressure
  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco
  • Exercise daily to improve circulation
  • Get plenty of rest

Medication

In many instances, medication may help. If tinnitus is caused by ear infection, medications that will treat the infection will help to alleviate the noise. In some cases, it is a person's medication that is causing the tinnitus. When speaking with your doctor, make him/her aware of the prescriptions you are currently taking. You may need to make a change.

Coping with Tinnitus

As distracting and aggravating as it is to constantly have sound in your ear, there are ways to cope with tinnitus and live an enjoyable life. Following are a few suggestions:

  • Relax. Stress exacerbates the occurrence of tinnitus. Relaxing the muscle groups around the ear area can significantly reduce the intensity of tinnitus in some patients.

  • Masking. The constant ringing or noise in the ears can temporarily be masked by "white noise", such as radio static or ocean waves. Using products that generate white noise can aid in concentration and in sleeping.

  • Hearing Aids. A hearing aid can be effective in amplifying other noises (such as a person talking) to be heard above the tinnitus. Some hearing aids come with masking devices.