Tinnitus is oftentimes
referred to as ringing in the ears. Despite of that, it’s not all the time that
the sound perceived by the individual experiencing tinnitus is the ringing
kind. The sound perceived, which is not present in or coming from the
environment, can range anywhere from a steady hum to a meddling roar.
According to health
authorities, tinnitus is not a disease. Rather, it is usually a symptom of an
underlying problem. There are many different things that can cause tinnitus to
strike. If you are interested to know some of the most common ones, keep on
reading — below are some of the usual culprits behind tinnitus.
- Aging
It’s no secret that the process
of aging causes all kinds of changes in the body. The passing of years can have
an effect in your inner ear, which can cause presbycusis — hearing loss as a
result of aging. Presbycusis is usually seen in individuals who are over 50
years old, and one of the symptoms it comes with is tinnitus.
Sadly, the effect of aging on
the ears is permanent and oftentimes progressive, which means that once hearing
loss is there it’s going to be around for good.
- Exposure to Loud Noise
One of the most common causes
of tinnitus is exposure to loud or excessive noise. It’s for the fact that it
can cause structural damage to the inner ear. Construction workers, military
personnel, air traffic controllers and musicians are some of those that are at
high risk of tinnitus due to the fact that they are constantly exposed to loud
or a lot of noise.
If you’re a music lover who
likes listening to your favorite tracks loudly using a pair of headphones or
earphones, you may also find yourself battling tinnitus sooner or later.
- Buildup of Earwax
The accumulation of too much
earwax can diminish hearing, and this can give rise to tinnitus. Doctors say
that one of the things that can increase risk of earwax buildup is at-home
removal of earwax. Needless to say, it’s a much better idea to leave your ears
alone — it’s actually capable of cleaning itself.
It’s important to note that
too much earwax is not the only issue that can cause tinnitus. Dirt, loose hair
and small foreign objects can also collect in the ear and cause tinnitus due to
reduced ability to hear.
- Unhealthy Living
Health authorities confirm
that having an unhealthy lifestyle can cause tinnitus to come into being. Some
of the things that can cause tinnitus to strike include cigarette smoking and
excessive alcohol intake. Experts say that the poisonous substances these
habits introduce to the body can have unfavorable effects on the inner ear.
A lot of people who are
leading stressful lives suffer from tinnitus. The same is true for those who
consume excessive amounts of caffeinated drinks and sodium-rich foods.
- Meniere’s Disease
Put simply, Meniere’s disease
is a condition that involves the inner ear. A telltale sign of it is a specific
type of dizziness called vertigo, which is something that can make it seem like
the room is spinning. It’s also not uncommon for sufferers of Meniere’s disease
to complain about hearing loss and tinnitus.
Unfortunately, there is no
known cure available for Meniere’s disease. There are, however, pharmaceutical
solutions as well as home remedies that can help in the management of the
symptoms it brings.
- Certain Medical Conditions
Aside from Meniere’s disease,
there are many other medical conditions around that are also known to cause
tinnitus. Most of them are those that can cause damage to the nerves —
including the auditory nerves that send signals from your ears to your brain
and vice versa — such as diabetes and fibromyalgia.
Some other medical conditions
capable of causing tinnitus include Lyme disease, hyperthyroidism,
hypothyroidism, temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ, anxiety and
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