The tinnitus They are an annoying symptom that is perceived as a persistent ringing, hum or whistle in the ears.
Although they are often regarded as little discomfort, for many, tinnitus can be a highly unpleasant condition that seriously affects the quality of life.
“The nature and extent of the tinnitus varies significantly among atoms, as they may range from intermittent sounds that are barely perceived to constant sounds that stand in the way of executing even simple, daily activities,” said Dr. Olga Papadoulou.
Types of tinnitus
“Tinnitus can be divided into two main categories, subjective and objective. In the case of subjective tinnitus, which is the most common type, the sounds are only perceived by the patient. They can be caused by problems abroad, average or inner ear, as well as by acoustic nerves or the brain that interprets acoustic signals as sounds. Objective tinnitus on the other hand are perceived by third parties. These are rarer and can be caused by vascular disorders, acoustic bone diseases in the middle ear or muscle spasms, ”he explains.
Where is the buzz in the ear
There are many factors that can cause or aggravate tinnitus. Often the exact cause is not clear, but some of the most common causes include:
- Damage to the hairy cells of the inner ear, cells that release electrical signals that reach the brain through the acoustic nerve. When they are damaged, the signals become irregular, leading to tinnitus
- Presbyteria, since hearing loss due to advanced age is not excluded to be accompanied by tinnitus
- Exposure to loud noises, as prolonged exposure to high -intensity noise can cause permanent hearing damage and consequently tinnitus
- Extensive accumulation of cell plug (wax) in ear
- Abnormal operation of Eustachian trumpet
- Diseases affecting ears such as Meniere syndrome, otosclerosis or acoustic neurinoma
- Various Diseases related to the temporomandibular joint
- Diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, anemia, any allergies, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus
- Any injury to the head, ears or throat, which is a cause of either challenge or deterioration of tinnitus
- Taking certain ototoxic or other drugs (some antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants or non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs), which can either cause or aggravate tinnitus
- Note that alcohol consumption, smoking, caffeine, anxiety and fatigue can not cause, but can increase tinnitus.
How to deal with the hum
Effective treatment of tinnitus depends on the underlying cause. If tinnitus is the result of a condition, its treatment can reduce or eliminate tinnitus.
However, in cases where the causes relate to screw damage, tinnitus can be more persistent. There are several ways of reducing and prevention of tinnitus, such as:
- Treatment of underlying problems such as infections or accumulation of cell plug
- Acoustic aids and cochlear implants in cases of extensive hearing loss
- Sound cover with special devices
- Tinniture Repeat Treatment
- Management of stress
- Intravascular infusions
- Adoption of beneficial habits such as protecting the cardiovascular system through proper nutrition and exercise or reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption
- Administration of pharmaceutical preparations or nutritional supplements.
“In any case, tinnitus is a complex and extremely annoying symptom with a variety of causes. This symptom unfortunately has significant restrictions not only in everyday life but also in the psychological state of the sufferer. Listening to a permanent buzz in the ear we can easily imagine the irritation and discomfort it causes. In order for the impact of this situation on everyday life therefore, the early evaluation by a specialized otolaryngologist is considered necessary. Implementing a comprehensive approach can successfully tackle tinnitus and significantly improve the quality of life of the patients, ”concludes Dr. Papadopoulou.