TINNITUS: Why Is It Ringing In My Ear Constantly?
Tinnitus is defined as a noise in the head that has no external source. While for most people it sounds like ringing, it can also sound like whistling, hissing, screaming, humming, roaring, chirping, or buzzing. The sound may appear to be coming from one or both ears, the inside of the head, or a distance away. It could be steady or pulsating and continuous or sporadic. Read on to find out more about the condition.
You must visit the best ENT Specialist in Islamabad if you hear voices that you are certain are not real sounds to improve your quality of life.
Multiple medical conditions can either cause or aggravate tinnitus. In many patients, the actual cause remains unidentified. Whereas some patients who get diagnosed with tinnitus most certainly have one of the known underlying causes that are discussed ahead.
Hearing Loss
Normally, your inner ear, which contains tiny, sensitive hair cells, vibrates in response to sound waves. This movement causes electrical messages to travel from your ear to your nervous system via the auditory nerve. These signals are interpreted as sound by your brain.
In tinnitus, the hairs in your inner ear are damaged or bent (this occurs with aging or with exposure to loud noises frequently). When this happens, the hairs might leak faulty electrical signals to your brain producing random sounds.
Neck or Head Trauma
Injury to the head or neck can have an impact on the inner ear, auditory nerves, or hearing-related brain functions. Tinnitus is typically only present in one ear after such accidents.
Infection or Obstruction of the Ear Canal
Ear infections, earwax accumulation, debris, or other foreign bodies can all cause the ear canal to get blocked. In this case, tinnitus is caused by obstructions that alter the pressure inside the ear.
Medications
Several drugs may either cause or trigger tinnitus. Tinnitus typically gets worse as these drugs are taken at larger doses. When you discontinue these medicines, the annoying sound often goes away.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), specific antibiotics, diuretics, antimalarial drugs, and antidepressants are a few of the substances linked to tinnitus.
Temporomandibular Joint
Tinnitus may be brought on by abnormalities with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or jaw. If you chew or speak, you might hear popping or feel pain in the joint. The joint has certain nerves and ligaments in common with your middle ear. A dentist can address TMJ problems and stop ear ringing from worsening.
Blood Conditions
These include high blood pressure and factors like stress, alcohol, and coffee that temporarily boost it. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the blood vessels) is another factor that may be present. Blood vessels around your inner and middle ear become less elastic, causing your blood flow to become stronger and more audible. This is referred to as pulsatile tinnitus.
Alterations in the inner ear bones, fibromyalgia Meniere’s disease, and Lyme disease are examples of less common medical conditions that cause tinnitus. Your doctor will assist you in determining the reason and reducing unwanted noises.
1 in 5 tinnitus patients experiences troublesome tinnitus, which has a significant impact on their functional well-being and quality of life. Over a period of six months, tinnitus is considered persistent.
It is essential to get a detailed evaluation and examination by an ENT Specialist in Karachi before starting any treatment. Understanding tinnitus and its causes will help you manage it effectively and lead a better life.
