Constant Ringing in the Ears - Where Does Tinnitus Come From?

Constant Ringing in the Ears - Where Does Tinnitus Come From

As people age, they sometimes begin to hear a constant ringing in the ears. This is typically caused by a condition called tinnitus. However, you don't have to be "getting up there" to experience it. It can happen at any age, for variety of reasons. Tinnitus means you have a problem with ear health.

The "ringing"can also resemble a hum, buzz, hiss, whoosh or many other sounds. These sounds don't come from outside your ears. They're actually the result of some problem in your auditory system.

It's impossible to figure out exactly how many people suffer from constant ringing in the ears. Guesses generally range from as low as 8 million to as high as 40 million. Perhaps 33 percent of all adult Americans suffer from tinnitus at some time in their lives. As many as 1 person in 6 may seek medical evaluation or treatment for it.

Constant ringing in the ears varies from person to person. It may be barely noticeable, or it may be intense. For some people, it is so loud and so persistent it interferes with daily activities. It can become extremely difficult to focus and concentrate. It can even be hard to sleep.

Unfortunately, there are no medications you can take to cure tinnitus. Constant ringing in the ears is a symptom of some other disorder, not a disease in itself. Therefore, the key to getting relief is diagnosing and treating the cause.

What Causes Constant Ringing in the Ears

Sometimes the underlying cause is not hard to diagnose. It can result from a hard knock on the head or face, being subjected to an unusually loud noise, a tumor in the vicinity of an ear, or even impacted ear wax.

Sometimes, some other medical condition will contribute to tinnitus. Among these are anemia, kidney problems, high blood pressure or hypertension, and allergies. People who are exceptionally tired or under a great deal of stress seem to be at higher risk. Taking too much aspirin has also been identified as a possible cause.

However, diagnosing the causes of tinnitus can be difficult for your doctor - even for a specialist. Tests and evaluation procedures are available, but they don't always provide an answer.

You can depend on one thing though. It's very rarely "just your imagination" as some uninformed people may try to tell you.

What Options Do You Have For Relief?

The initial step toward finding relief from constant ringing in the ears is getting an evaluation by an audiologist. Make an appointment with one who is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Once a diagnosis has been made, you have some options, including

*appropriate medications and vitamins

*hypnosis and biofeedback therapy

*devices known as "tinnitus maskers." These can provide relief from the constant, disturbing sounds of tinnitus. Maskers are like hearing aids. They fill your ears with more pleasant sounds which cover up or reduce the annoying ringing, humming, etc.

You should be aware, however, that certain strategies will work for some people. For others, nothing seems to be useful.

If you're one of the millions who suffer from tinnitus, you can take advantage of many groups and organizations dedicated to providing you with beneficial resources.

Above all, understand that having tinnitus isn't necessarily a sign that you're going deaf. But constant ringing in the ears should prompt you to visit a qualified audiologist as soon as possible for a diagnosis.