Tinnitus causes one to experience a ringing or any similar sound that seemingly originates from the ears or the head. Although its occurrence is often not a serious problem, its presence can still be very disturbing. Tinnitus can arise in the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear or through brain abnormalities causing one to perceive sound despite its absence. It is important to note that tinnitus is not a disease in itself but rather a symptom of some other underlying condition. There are several known tinnitus causes, some of which are presented below.

            The most common of the tinnitus causes is nerve damage. In most cases, the microscopic endings of the nerves in the inner ear are damaged causing them to send random electrical signals to the brain that is interpreted as sound and thus causing tinnitus. In older individuals, natural hearing loss can cause tinnitus. The hearing nerve’s sensitivity is often lessened in older people thus resulting in tinnitus.

            Exposure to loud noise is also one of the tinnitus causes more commonly encountered these days. Apart from causing tinnitus, long-term exposure to loud noises can also cause permanent ear damage. Temporary tinnitus can be acquired through short-term exposure to loud sounds such as concerts or firearms.

            Earwax blockage has also been known to be one of the tinnitus causes. Although the presence of earwax in the ears is meant to protect the ear canal, too much earwax accumulation may cause irritation of the eardrum and may later on lead to tinnitus.

            In addition to the previously mentioned causes, tinnitus can also be due to certain inner ear disorders like Meniere’s disease. Stress and depressions as well as head and neck injuries have also been known as tinnitus causes. Even improper blood flow in the body can be a cause for tinnitus. Atherosclerosis and high blood pressure can exacerbate the effects of tinnitus and make them more noticeable. Certain medications can even cause or worsen tinnitus. High doses of aspirin, aminoglycoside antibiotics and quinine are just some of the drugs known to cause tinnitus.

            Knowing the different tinnitus causes is necessary to avoid the possibility of acquiring tinnitus in the future because in the end prevention is still better than cure.

TINNITUS CAUSES