Tinnitus (pronounced either tin-night’-is or tin’-it-is) the perception of a constant noise in the ear head when no external sound is present.

The exact sound varies from person to person. It may be characterized as a ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, roaring, sizzling, whistling, or as the sound of escaping air, running water, the inside of a seashell. The sound may be hig pitched, low pitched or pulsating.

It can be caused by a wide varaiety of factors: acoustic trauma (loud noises), anxiety, brain tumors, buildup of ear wax, ear infections, foreign objects in the ear, hearing loss due to aging (presbycusis), many drugs (the most common being alcohol, aminoglycoside, antibiotics, anti-inflamatories, aspirin, indomethacin, quinine), Meniere's Disease, otosclerosis, and smoking.

Tinnitus can also be caused by circulatory problems such as: anemia, aneurysms, blocked carotid arteries, and malformed blood vessels.

Tinnitus often occurs in conjunction with hearing loss due to aging. In about 40% of the cases, Tinnitus is accompanied by hyperacusis. Hyperacusis is an increased sensitivity to sound and can become a serious problem in its own right.

Most people during their life will experience Tinnitus for short periods from time to time. When it persists over long periods of time it may interfere with the ability to concentrate or even sleep.

In some cases it causes extreme psychological distress and become a life-altering condition. About 5% of the population if affected by Tinnitus to the point of distress.

Diagnostic tests can include: conventional angiography and other tests of vascular functioning, audiology/audiometry testing for hearing loss, a CT scan of the head, an MRI scan of the head, X-rays of the head.

Treatments include: anticonvulsants, antihistamines, auditory habituation, herbal remedies, hypnosis, tinnitus masking devices, tranquilizers, vasodilators, various forms of biofeedback training, and a wide variety of alternative remedies.

Many physicians not well acquanted with the management of Tinnitus, will recomend that Tinnitus patients just learn to tolerate the noise.

Physicians who specialize in Tinnitus, are much more proactive in treating it, and are often able to generate relief for its sufferers.

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