Tinnitus Facts and More

›› About Tinnitus

›› Some Basic Tinnitus Facts

Tinnitus, Latin for "ringing," (pronounced "tin-eye-tus") is the perception of sound in the ear, this sound not being generated by an outside source.
By some estimates, over 17% Americans have some form of Tinnitus - that's 51 million people with Tinnitus!
7% of Tinnitus sufferers (21 million people) seek medical treatment.
For 3.5% of or the population (10.5 million people), Tinnitus severely affects their lives, making most any activity (especially sleep) difficult at best.
As we age, more of us develop Tinnitus. More than one-third of Tinnitus sufferers are 65 years and older.
Tinnitus is an equal-opportunity affliction, as both men and women have Tinnitus in roughly equal numbers.
There are two forms of Tinnitus; Objective Tinnitus which can be heard by another and has a better chance of medical cure.
The other form of Tinnitus is called Subjective Tinnitus, which can only be heard by the sufferer and presents the vast majority of cases.

›› Symptoms of Tinnitus

The classic sign of Tinnitus is a constant or occasional ringing, whooshing, buzzing, whistling, chirping, roaring, ticking or clicking noise in the ear.
These sounds can vary in volume, seeming louder in a quiet setting. Noisy environments make these Tinnitus noises less noticeable.
Sometimes other forms of hearing loss is associated with Tinnitus.

›› Causes of Objective Tinnitus

Muscle spasms that cause clicks or crackling in the inner ear.
Pulsatile Tinnitus is caused by altered blood flow or increased blood turbulence in the ear, possibly from atherosclerosis or venous hum, and the noise is in synch with the beating of the heart. Rarely, Pulsatile Tinnitus can be a sign of .more serious problems such as carotid artery aneurysm or carotid artery dissection.
Eustachian tube abnormalities can also cause a form of Tinnitus, with a blowing sound or an ocean roar and/or clicking noises as the main symptoms.

›› Causes of Subjective Tinnitus

Up to 80% of Subjective Tinnitus sufferers have other otologic diseases (hearing disorders).
Almost all of those with Ménière's disease have Tinnitus.
Loud noises, constant or one-time occurrences, are prime causes of Tinnitus.
Medicines, especially NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) have been shown to induce Tinnitus.
Chemical imbalances such as diabetes have been linked to Tinnitus.
Some studies have shown that up to 50% of those with clinically-diagnosed depression and/or anxiety disorders have Tinnitus.
Constant and abnormal stress has been shown to cause and make Tinnitus worse.

›› How Do I Treat My Tinnitus?

Unless there is an underlying, correctable medical condition, there is no cure for Tinnitus. See your medical doctor first to determine if medical intervention is possible.
It is possible to reduce the intensity of Tinnitus through various non-medical and alternative treatments.
For the most part, the goal in treating Tinnitus is to "acclimate" the sufferer to his or her level of tinnitus, and attempt to move the perception of the Tinnitus-generated noises to the patient's subconscious.
For those who have issues with depression, anxiety and excessive stress, the alternative and holistic medical practitioners have been instrumental in developing many new, non-medical and creative treatments to help Tinnitus sufferers regain control over their lives.
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