Tinnitus Can Be Caused By A Many Different Things

Are you wondering just what tinnitus is? You may have experienced symptoms of this common ailment and are looking for more information about tinnitus, it's causes and most importantly how to quiet that noise in your head.

Tinnitus is a persistent noise in one or both ears that for some people is a particularly annoying condition. What makes matters worse is that there is no one cause of tinnitus and therefore treating it can be difficult. Fortunately, in the majority of cases, it is not a serious condition, but rather one that can be managed and sometimes eliminated entirely.

The cause of tinnitus varies from individual to individual. There are several common contributing factors that can result in the onset of tinnitus. After the age of sixty, many people begin to experience a slight hearing loss and along with this, tinnitus. As we age, the nerves in the ear do not function as they once did and as a result can begin to deliver false signals that are experienced as high pitched noise or a whooshing sound.

Another common cause of tinnitus is overexposure to loud noise and music. People who work in noisy factory environments or who use loud equipment on a daily basis can experience hearing loss that leads to tinnitus. Listening to loud music on an iPod or car radio for extended periods of time and frequenting loud concerts can also lead to hearing loss and tinnitus, even in young people.

Occasionally, the cause of tinnitus may be related to the buildup of earwax that has accumulated and hardened in the ear canal. This can cause hearing problems as well as ear noise. A genetic condition that causes abnormal bone growth in some people can lead to tinnitus in one or both ears.

There Are Also Diseases And Disorders That Lead To This Condition

There are also other diseases and disorders that can be the cause of tinnitus. Meniere's disease, for example, is an inner ear disorder that causes an abnormal amount of pressure to build up in the ear. Balance problems and tinnitus are associated with this disease. Injuries to the neck or head can cause nerve damage and result in ear noise. Occasionally a benign tumor may develop on the cranial nerve and cause tinnitus.

The cause of tinnitus in some people has been tied to stress, depression and diet. High blood pressure and atherosclerosis can also cause or worsen tinnitus. A variety of medications have been linked to tinnitus. They include antibiotics, such as erythromycin and tetracycline; cancer medications, such as vincristine and mechlorethanmine; diuretics, quinine medications, and aspirin.

On very rare occasions the cause of tinnitus can be linked to a brain tumor or other more serious condition. If you are experiencing persistent or annoying tinnitus it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. Once you have determined that nothing life threatening is at the foundation of your problem then taking a holistic approach to treatment can be your best line of defense.

Take a look at your life style, eating habits and stress level. There are many steps you can take to decrease the impact of tinnitus on your life and potentially eliminate this bothersome condition entirely. Because it is difficult to pinpoint an exact cause of tinnitus, taking a holistic approach to treatment can often bring the best and quickest results.