How To Stop Ringing in Ear from Tinnitus
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Ringing In the Ears (Tinnitus)
Damage to ultramicroscopic endings of nerves associated with hearing function due to varied reasons results in ‘Ringing in Ear’ syndrome, also known as Tinnitus.
Introduction
The word Tinnitus originates from Latin word ‘Tinnituae’ means ringing. Tinnitus, commonly known as Ringing in the Ear, basically a disorder, is characterized by sensation of noise in the human ear in the nonexistence of external sound. Though it is defined as ringing noise, it varies greatly from person to person. In some cases, it can be also heard as buzzing, humming, hissing, or beeping, whistling sound, or as ticking, roaring, and clicking noise.
It is not a disease but a causality originating from array of underlying causes like infection in ear, deposition of wax in ear or injury to tympanic membrane. Anatomically, human ear is classified further into four sections—the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, and the brain. Tinnitus can happen in any of these sections. Moreover, it can arise in single or in both ears.
Some cases of Tinnitus or Ringing noise are considered as normal. For example, if we enter a sound proof cabin then most of us will experience buzzing or whistling and become aware of normal body sounds as masking effects of external sound is nonexistent in such cases. These conditions are defined as non tinnitus conditions. Thus Tinnitus is that medical term which describes severely affected cases of ear ringing in normal conditions.
Diagnosis
As Tinnitus is a subjective phenomenon, objective tests like an audiometric test fail to measure its severity. On the contrary, it is classified into different categories ranging from slight to cataclysmic, subject to practical complexity like disturbances to sleep, normal activities it imposes. The more descriptive THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) is commonly used to do the research in this field. However, certain series of diagnostic tests like audiogram, ABR (Auditory Brain stem Response) are preferred to find the origin of Tinnitus or to find out whether it due to vertigo or loss of hearing. Sometimes these patterns help doctors to make the diagnosis.
Mechanism of Tinnitus
The inner ear houses minute hair like structures that vibrate with the introduction of sound waves. The receptor cells located at the base of these hairs then transmits neural signals to brain. These cells are connected via neural loop and controlled by the brain. This neural feedback loop makes selectivity to certain frequencies possible. Damage to receptor cells results in changing the parameters of loop by a continuous exposure to excessive decibel levels than the normal one and Tinnitus occurs. Thus in Tinnitus, false information is transmitted to brain causing ringing or humming noises when there is no such external sound. Recent research has classified this disorder into two- 1. Otic Tinnitus, which happens in the inner ear due to damage to nerves. 2. Somatic Tinnitus, which happens outside the inner ear.
Causes of Tinnitus
The causes are many and can be further classified as-
1. Otological causes and hearing loss - Deposition of ear wax, infection in external ear, middle ear effusion, prolonged exposure to excessive loud noise, hearing loss associated with age, certain diseases of inner ear like Meniere’s syndrome can cause Tinnitus. Certain ototoxic medications also have side effects which can lead to Tinnitus like aspirin, amino glycosides, tetracycline, bleomycin, cisplatin, furosemide etc.
2. Neurological Disorders - Head injuries, multiple sclerosis can cause Tinnitus.
3. Metabolic disorders like deficiency of Vitamin B-12, thyroid disorder can result in Tinnitus.
4. Studies have shown that Psychological Problems like over anxiety, depression can end up in Tinnitus.
Prevention of Tinnitus
Precautionary measures are most advisable in the cases of Ringing in the Ear (Tinnitus), as the persons suffering from these disorders continue to suffer throughout their life. Since, the most common cause is prolonged exposure to excessive noise; it is advisable to avoid such incidences where the possibility of loud noise is more. Earplugs can be the best means available. Again, certain medications should be closely monitored for side effects.
Treatment
Once a careful diagnosis done, Tinnitus can be treated effectively with varied treatments available, depending on the source or cause of the disorder. However a single treatment is not useful treating different types of Tinnitus.
Objective Tinnitus can be treated with surgery using Gamma rays of radiation in case of glomus jugulare tumor. In case of palatal tremor treatment is done by Botulinum toxin. In arterial anatomic variation Propranolol is used effectively.
In Subjective Tinnitus intensity of external sound is reduced by Tinnitus masking, by completely avoiding the noise, by using music therapy or using hearing aids to facilitate the lost frequencies. Electrical treatment is also used to great effect to cure certain cases of Tinnitus. In chemical therapy, stress is laid on cutting off the consumption of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine. It is further supported by Zinc supplementation, sodium fluoride, Melatonin, Chinese herbal therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy is also very useful in Psychological treatments.
Tinnitus has been perceived as a classified of chronic pain. Hence, while treating this Ringing in Ear, identification of cause is of utmost importance!
| By Jayashree Pakhare Published: 2/16/2007 |
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Posted on: Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 1:13 pm 
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