A condition in which people experience constant or periodic ringing in ears not coming from outside or nearby surroundings.
These sounds are similar to ringing firstly and then to buzzing, roaring, and tinkling. This hearing problem is also called Tinnitus.
The various sounds people may hear seem to come from one or both ears, from inside the head or from distance.
“The sounds may be constant, steady or interrupted.”
This hearing problem does not get better with time nor does it go away. It mostly affects people of 50 years or older. Men seem to get affected more often than women.
Most people are exposed to noise but only for short periods of time. Examples are loud concerts, firecrackers explosions.
“These ringing’s last shortly but can return years later and can cause a more serious problem.”
Tinnitus tends not to be a serious problem for people experiencing it but there is a small percentage of people who are really suffering from this condition and have severe obstacles in performing everyday activities.
Not everyone experiencing Tinnitus has hearing problems but sometimes there is a serious connection between the two.
Types of Ringing in Ears
1. Pulsatile Tinnitus
Is similar to a heartbeat. It is caused by the sounds of muscles moving near the ear, changes in the ear canal, and blood flow problems around the ear.
“People hear the sound of their own pulse or movements in their muscles.”
2. Nonpulsatile Tinnitus
Arises from problems with hearing nerves. This type of tinnitus seems to come from the inside of a person’s head and can appear in one or both ears.
3. Presbycusis
Is a cause of ringing that arises from aging.
4. Acoustic Trauma
Is a type of Tinnitus coming from exposure to loud noises.
5. Chronic Tinnitus
There is no cure for chronic tinnitus but there is also not a large percentage of chronic or severe cases in the world.
For tinnitus that is not chronic, the treatment is fairly easy to execute and handle. The most important thing is to be introduced to the fact that this condition is not serious and people can educate themselves about it in many ways.
Other Causes of Tinnitus
- Imputed earwax
- Construction machinery
- Medicines, especially antibiotics or increased amounts of aspirin
- Gunshots
- Ear infections and ruptures of the eardrum
- Musical events
- Dental and other problems affecting the mouth
- Diabetes
- Alcohol
- Direct injuries to the ear or head
- Antidepressants
- Head and neck surgery or radiation therapy
- Serious weight loss or gain from changing nutrition
Prevention
The best way to prevent Tinnitus or Ringing in Ears is to avoid loud noises or at least were earplugs when in nearness and dangerous exposure to the same.
“Continuous exposure to loud noises leads to this damage or even a severe hearing loss problem.”
Depending on the level of decibels dangerous exposure is mostly met when higher than 110 decibels.
Airport runways are also very dangerous and especially people working at airports and similar places should take care of themselves.