Ringing or ringing in the ears (tinnitus) are sounds that originate in the ear and not in the environment. Although it is a symptom and not a specific disease.
Specifically, it is usually caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, a circulatory system disorder, or an injury to the ear, depending on the Mayo Clinic.
David M. Kaylie, a physician at Duke University Medical Center, points out that the noise perceived by people with tinnitus It can be a hissing, buzzing, tinkling, or roaring sound. and is often associated with hearing loss. In some cases, people hear more complex sounds that can vary at different times.
Symptoms
Tinnitus is usually described as ringing in the ears, even though there is no external sound source. However, tinnitus can also cause other types of imaginary noises in the ears:
- Sisees.
- murmurs.
- tinnitus.
- roars.
- Clicks.
The diseases in which they can occur are:
- Auditory system tumors.
- Hearing loss (deafness or hearing loss).
- Otitis.
- Earwax plugs.
Causes
Head or neck injuries
- A head or neck injury can affect the inner ear, brain function linked to hearing, and the auditory nerves.
- These lesions usually cause tinnitus in only one ear.
Medicines
- Ototoxic drugs: acetylsalicylic acid, quinine and some antibiotics, according to the Clinic of the University of Navarra.
- In general, the higher the doses of these medications, the worse the tinnitus.
hearing loss
- There are small, delicate hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea) that move when sound waves arrive. This movement causes electrical signals to be sent through the nerve from the ear to the brain (auditory nerve).
- The brain interprets these signals as sounds, and if the hearing cilia in the inner ear bend or break, they can cause electrical impulses to “leak” into the brain for no reason, which can cause tinnitus.
Ear infection or blockage of the ear canal
- The ear canals can become blocked if fluid (ear infection), dirt or wax, or other foreign material builds up.
- A blockage can change the pressure in the ear and cause tinnitus.
Tinnitus usually causes a noise that originates in the blood vessels near the ear. In these cases, the sound is heard with each heartbeat (pulsatile). The causes, according to the portal specialized in health MSD Manuals son:
- Certain middle ear tumors that have abundant blood vessels.
- A malformation of the blood vessels in the membrane that covers the brain.
- Turbulent flow through the carotid artery or jugular vein.
Prevention:
- Take care of cardiovascular health: Exercising regularly, eating right, and taking other steps to keep your blood vessels healthy can help prevent tinnitus linked to blood vessel disorders and obesity.
- Limit the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine: these substances, if consumed in excess, can affect blood flow and contribute to tinnitus.
- Use hearing protection: Over time, exposure to loud sounds can damage the nerves in your ears, leading to hearing loss and tinnitus. It is recommended to try to limit exposure to loud noises. Also wear hearing protection to protect your ears.
- Decrease the volume: Long-term exposure to amplified music without hearing protection or listening to music at high volume with headphones can cause tinnitus or hearing loss.
