Millions of Americans experience tinnitus, making it one of the most common health conditions in the country. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that approximately 10% of the U.S. population, more than 25 million Americans, experience some form of tinnitus. Roughly 5 million people struggle with chronic tinnitus, while 2 million fit it debilitating.
What Is It?
- The perception of sound when no actual external noise is present. While it is commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears,” tinnitus can manifest many different perceptions of sound including buzzing, humming, hissing, whistling, swooshing and clicking. Tinnitus can be both acute (temporary) or chronic (ongoing).
There are two types of tinnitus:
Subjective tinnitus: Head or ear noises that are perceivable only to the specific patient. More than 99% of all reported tinnitus cases are of the subjective variety.
Objective tinnitus: Head or ear noises that are audible to other people, as well as the patient. Objective tinnitus is very rare, representing less than 1% of total tinnitus cases.
What Causes It?
- Tinnitus is a symptom of associated with an array of other health conditions.
- Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a symptom of some other underlying health condition. While tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, there are roughly 200 different health disorders than can generate tinnitus as a symptom.
- Note: Patients experiencing tinnitus should see their physician or a hearing health professional for a full examination to diagnose the underlying cause of symptoms. In some cases, resolving the root cause will alleviate the perception of tinnitus.
- Commonly reported causes of tinnitus:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Obstructions in the middle ear (earwax, hair, dirt, foreign objects)
- Sinus pressure (from a severe cold, flu or infection)
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- Injury to the head or neck
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ménière’s
- Blood vessel problems (high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, etc.)
- Chronic conditions (diabetes, migraines, thyroid disorders, anemia, and certain autoimmune disorders
- Side effect of prescription medication
Source: svhealthcare.org
Call Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center at (541) 779-7331 for more information or to schedule an appointment.