What Causes Tinnitus?

If you’re experiencing a buzzing or ringing in your ears, you may be one of the millions of people living with tinnitus. Depending on the severity of this hearing problem, tinnitus may be a minor annoyance or it could negatively impact almost every aspect of someone’s life. Left untreated, tinnitus can make communication much more difficult, and over time, can even lead to depression and anxiety.

Luckily, there are methods to help people live with their tinnitus symptoms. Exercise, a healthy diet, and managing your stress can all be helpful to silence that ringing in your ears. There are also tinnitus health supplements, such as Tinnitus 911, that use all-natural, organic ingredients to reduce tinnitus symptoms and boost your overall health.

But anyone with tinnitus will be bound to be wondering: what’s causing my tinnitus? There are, in fact, several different causes to this hearing issue that can affect the severity. Here, we’re taking a closer look at this common hearing problem and investigating what causes tinnitus. We then review some of the most common—and effective—methods that audiologists and doctors utilize for treating tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of a sound when there is no external stimulus present. Tinnitus is usually experienced as a slight buzzing or ringing in your ears that just won’t go away. However, tinnitus may also be heard as a screeching, whistling, or even a pulsing sound. In many cases, the sound of tinnitus will be directly linked to the cause. For example, if your tinnitus sounds like a deep, pulsing sound (known as pulsatile tinnitus), your tinnitus may be caused by a disorder in the blood vessels.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be a difficult problem to diagnose because there are so many unique causes. Determining the cause of your tinnitus is an important first step toward treatment. While some causes may allow for a straightforward treatment, such as ear wax blockage, others make it more difficult to treat. Technically, there is no medical cure for tinnitus, but there are methods to help individuals live with their tinnitus symptoms.

Here are some of the most common causes of tinnitus:

1. Age-related hearing loss: as we grow older, it’s only natural that you start to feel the effects. Over time, hearing may diminish, which can be accompanied with tinnitus as your brain works overtime to pick up sounds. Hearing aids can be effective for those with age-related hearing loss.
2. Repeated exposure to loud noises: ever left a concert and your ears were still ringing as you walked back to your car? If so, you’ve experienced tinnitus. In most of these cases, the tinnitus symptoms will be temporary and your normal hearing will return. However, over time, this may change. Exposure to loud noises, such as concerts or construction equipment, can permanently damage your hearing, which is why wearing ear protection is so important.
3. Ear wax blockage: ear wax is completely natural and actually works to protect your ears. However, sometimes too much ear wax can build up in your ear canal. This blockage can cause tinnitus. Luckily, audiologists
4. Ototoxic medications: certain medication can damage your hearing. Known as ototoxic drugs, these medications can cause tinnitus. For many individuals, when you stop taking a certain medication, the tinnitus symptoms will fade. However, it’s important to always speak with your doctor before making any changes to your medication plan. The effects of not taking the medication could be much worse than tinnitus.
5. Blood vessel disorders: as previously mentioned, blood vessel disorders may also lead to tinnitus.
6. Muscle spasms in the ear: the tiny muscles in your ear can tense up and spasm, which can lead to tinnitus or other hearing problems. These muscle spasms can occur randomly or may be a symptom of a more serious health condition.
7. Acoustic neuroma: acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that forms on the cranial nerve. This nerve runs between the eye and the brain, and as the tumor adds pressure, your hearing can be affected.

Can Tinnitus Be Cured?

Currently, there is no medical cure for tinnitus. However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t hope for those living with this condition. Doctors have developed a variety of methods that can help individuals live with that ringing in their ears. Over time, many people hardly even notice that ringing sound. Of course, identifying the specific cause of your tinnitus is that important first step toward finding the right treatment plan. Tinnitus caused by excessive ear wax, for example, is much different than tinnitus caused by a blood vessel disorder or ototoxic medication. Always consult your doctor before attempting any form of treatment.

Conclusion – What Causes Tinnitus?

There is no single cause of tinnitus. This common hearing problem, which affects millions of people all over the world, can be caused by a variety of ailments, injuries, or simply from getting older. While age-related hearing loss is the most common cause of tinnitus, it may also come from ear wax blockage, head or neck injuries, or health conditions like Meniere’s disease or acoustic neuroma. Regardless of the cause, tinnitus can make daily life a challenge and make a major impact on your professional and social life.

There is no cure for tinnitus—but there is hope. Doctors have developed various treatment methods that can help individuals better manage their tinnitus symptoms. For some, they may hardly even notice their tinnitus over time. What’s important is to understand the source of your tinnitus, which enables doctors to develop the most effective treatment option. If you believe you may have tinnitus, don’t wait any longer to get help. Reach out to your doctor or audiologist and take back your hearing.