Tinnitus is ringing in the ears that sounds like a whistling, humming or ringing sound in one or both ears. It is usually not caused by external noise and is the only thing you can hear. Tinnitus can be temporary but can also be more prolonged and persistent, high or low-pitched, and changeable in volume.

Types

Many cases of tinnitus occur at night or during periods when the body and environment are quiet. This condition can cause disruptions in daily life, such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, sleep problems, pain and loss of focus. In general, there are 2 types of tinnitus, namely:

As we get older, the risk of ringing in the ears increases

1. Subjective Tinnitus

Subjective tinnitus (most common) results from abnormal neural activity in the part of the brain responsible for processing sound information (auditory cortex). As a result, the central nervous system perceives sounds abnormally when they are not actually present. This condition is closely related to:

• Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)

• Exposure to noise in the workplace (factories, drums, gunshots, explosions, loud music)

• A lot of wax or a foreign body in the ear

• Exposure to medications (aspirin, antibiotics, chemotherapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

• Conductive hearing loss (ear blockage due to earwax build-up and hardening, fluid build-up in the middle ear, and eustachian tube dysfunction)

• Ménière's disease

• Cardiovascular disease

• Head or neck injury

• Ear infection or otosclerosis (abnormal growth inside the ear)

• Barotrauma (injury from sudden changes in air pressure)

• Neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, vestibular migraine, stroke, idiopathic intracranial hypertension and acoustic neuroma)

2. Objective Tinnitus

In contrast to subjective tinnitus, objective tinnitus is indicated when a person hears an internal sound that may be caused by the movement of blood vessels, heartbeat, or muscles. Objective tinnitus can usually be heard by the health worker examining it. The sound tends to be noisy, for example in cases caused by the throbbing of problematic blood vessels.

Diagnosis

There are two main ways to diagnose tinnitus. The first is a medical history assessment. They will ask about the symptoms, such as what the sound is like, any other symptoms, any history of neck or head injury, history of medication consumption, and the impact on daily life.

The second is the physical examination. The health worker will evaluate the coconut, neck, eyes, ears and nervous system. For example, by examining and removing debris, listening to the blood vessels in the neck, chest, and around the ears. In addition, other tests may be conducted if it is found that the condition is associated with certain symptoms or occurs continuously, such as:

• Comprehensive hearing test

• MRI of the brain and internal auditory canal

• Vestibular tests (Ménière's disease only).

Treatment

Treatment of tinnitus depends on the underlying cause. For example, by correcting hearing loss with assistive devices, tinnitus masking (sound therapy using sounds to mask tinnitus), removing dirt or foreign objects, lifestyle modification (correcting sleep problems, stress, caffeine consumption habits), and cognitive behavioral therapy. Furthermore, how to prevent it is by:

• Using hearing protection (earplugs)

• Playing music at a moderate volume or using special earplugs when attending concerts

• Discussing the side effects of any medication with your doctor before taking it

If listening to music, set the volume to medium.

So, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is a condition in which a person hears an internal sound, such as a whistling, hissing or ringing. Tinnitus can occur in one or both ears, be temporary or persistent, high or low-pitched, and may change in volume. If the symptoms persist, see a doctor immediately!

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