Health: TINNITUS

Tinnitus or bruit is a condition, where there is perception of sound in the ears though there may be no sound present in the environment. It is adopted from the Latin word, “Tinnitus”, which means ringing. It may be a ringing, roaring, hoarse or buzzing sound, which varies in characteristics depending on the subjective perception of the individual. At times it may be pulsatile being synchronous with the heart beats. This is a condition somewhat similar to auditory hallucinations which is a psychiatric condition. In this the individual has a false perception of sounds heard in the environment though there may not be any kind of sound present. But in case of tinnitus, there is mostly some underlying cause for the sounds perceived. In majority of the cases it occurs due to some damage to the ear internally and is associated with some degree of hearing loss and or vertigo (sense of rotation of head).Nausea also occurs in some cases. Tinnitus can occur due to excessive exposure to external loud sounds as happens with constant buzzing of machines as in heavy industrial areas. If this exposure occurs for a long time, one can become deaf permanently. Using ear phones to hear music for long hours continuously tends to cause tinnitus over a long time. It is also a feature of aging. 15-20% elderly individuals can experience tinnitus along with significant hearing loss and vertigo, due to degenerative changes in the nerve for hearing and the balancing apparatus located within the ear. Those suffering from frequent cold often have complaints of tinnitus. This occurs due to congestion and inflammation of the Eustachian tube (tube connecting ears to nose), which affects middle and internal ear also. Presence of wax in the ears leads to impaired sound conduction and can cause tinnitus. Tinnitus is also caused by infections in the middle or internal ear. Trauma to the ear may also result in tinnitus along with other symptoms. Certain medicines are known to cause tinnitus as a side effect. Anti-malarial drug quinine, is mostly implicated in causing tinnitus as well as hearing loss. Antibiotics like gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, e.t.c., pain killers like aspirin and brufen are associated with tinnitus and can cause damage to the middle ear. People who are habituated to benzodiazepines (used as sleeping pills) suffer from tinnitus when they suddenly stop the drug. Similarly stopping caffeine suddenly or quitting smoking in tobacco addicts induces tinnitus in some individuals. Tumors of the vestibulococchlear nerve or of the ear and vascular lesions of the middle or internal ear are also associated with tinnitus. If somebody has a complaint of hearing sounds which do not exist, the likely cause is detected by clinical examination. Otoscope helps to visualize the middle and internal ears for any infection. Advanced tests like audiometry(testing of hearing ability of ears) and colorimetry (testing of the balancing apparatus in the inner ear), help in identifying any problem in the nerves or blood vessels of the ear. Use of ear plugs helps in preventing exposure to loud sounds. Professional musicians keep their ears protected and avoid tinnitus by using ear plugs and avoiding high frequency damaging sounds. Keeping the ears well covered and avoiding exposure to very hot or cold air or dampness, avoids congestion of the ear and tinnitus. Adequate treatment of any infection inside the ear, helps to correct the abnormal sensation of sounds perceived. Similarly, cleaning of wax inside the ears helps in curing the problem of tinnitus. Tinnitus caused by drugs mostly improves by withdrawal of the offending drug. Similarly healing of any trauma in the ear, improves tinnitus also considerably. Tumors of the nerve or inside the ear are corrected by surgery. Various electric, magnetic or radiation stimuli applied to the ear or head by various maneuvers are useful in the treatment of tinnitus. Antidepressant or anticonvulsant drugs have been found to be useful in treatment of tinnitus. Use of local anesthetic agent also helps in providing relief. Psychotherapy and hearing aids are useful for elderly people suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus. E-mail-rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk