Tinnitus Causes

Invisible to the outside world, but very real to those who suffer from it, tinnitus is a bothersome, sometimes painful condition that can affect a sufferer’s quality of life, career, and relationships. What causes this constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, and what can be done about it? Those who suffer from this condition are understandably anxious for answers to these questions. The first step toward possible healing is to determine the most probable tinnitus causes.

While experts agree on general tinnitus causes, they have a difficult time pinpointing the exact trigger or combination of contributing factors for each patient. This is due in part to the vast array of issues that may be at the heart of each individual case. It is crucial to be persistent in determining tinnitus causes, so that the sufferer can move ahead with resolving the issue.

While accurately pinpointing tinnitus causes is not always easy, there is hope! By following a few simple steps, tinnitus sufferers may be able to reduce or entirely reverse the effects of tinnitus. The first step, discovering the most probable tinnitus causes is addressed in this article. Successive articles focus on steps toward healing once the triggers are known.

Primary Tinnitus Causes

The primary tinnitus causes are related to hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud noises. Noise-induced hearing loss is responsible for up to 90% of tinnitus cases, while age-related hearing loss, usually surfacing after age 60, makes up a smaller percentage. Excessive noise can permanently damage the sound-sensitive cells of the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ in the inner year. Those most at risk include carpenters, pilots, rock musicians, and street-repair workers, as well as those who work with chain saws, guns or other loud devices. People who repeatedly listen to loud music are also at risk. Occasionally a single exposure to sudden excessively loud noises, such as a rock concert or an explosion, may result in temporary ear ringing as well.

It is important to note that tinnitus, although generally associated with hearing damage, does not, in fact, cause the loss, nor does hearing loss always cause or accompany tinnitus. The hearing may, in fact, remain entirely unaffected. In a few cases, the ears may actually become ultra-sensitive to the point that external noises must be diminished for comfort.

Secondary Tinnitus Causes

Secondary tinnitus causes usually combine with hearing damage to trigger tinnitus symptoms which might otherwise never have surfaced. Both medical and lifestyle factors play a role.

Medical contributors to tinnitus:

• Wax buildup in the ear
• Perforated eardrum
• Ear infections
• Meniere’s disease, a fluid-related disorder of the inner ear
• Neck and jaw issues, such as TMJ, which is inflammation and pain of the temporomandibular (jaw) joint
• A tumor on the auditory nerve, responsible for transporting hearing messages to the brain
• Otosclerosis, the stiffening of the middle ear’s small bones, usually genetic
• High blood pressure, anemia, cardiovascular disease, underactive thyroid and other medical conditions

Lifestyle contributors to tinnitus:

• Drugs such as aspirin, antibiotics, or quinine medications. More than 200 prescription and over-the-counter drugs list tinnitus as a possible side effect.
• Tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine
• Diets low in vitamins or high in allergenic or inflammatory foods
• Emotional issues, including anxiety and stress.
• Environmental toxins or irritants. Something as simple as the wrong toothpaste can trigger an attack.
• Any of a number of unhealthy habits that would contribute to the above-mentioned medical conditions.

While the road to healing from tinnitus may seem difficult, it is not impossible. Through a careful analysis of lifestyle and medical issues, tinnitus causes can be found. With diligence and patience, that bothersome ringing can be reduced or eliminated entirely. That’s a goal worth striving for.

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