What Are The Causes Of Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a common problem with many different causes, some preventable, some not. It comes from the the Latin word meaning 'ringing' but some people describe what they hear as buzzing, humming or whooshing instead. Here are some of the causes;
Noise-induced hearing loss. Most of us have been to a club or party and suffered some mild hearing loss and tinnitus as a result. This usually fades in a few hours but repeated insults can make this permanent. Make sure you wear ear plugs to prevent it. ZenPlugs are ideal because they are amazingly comfortable and antibacterial. This helps to prevent ear infections.
Otosclerosis. This is due to stiffening of the joints between the ossicles. These are the tiny bones in the ear which conduct the sound energy from the eardrum to the oval window where the sensory hair cells reside.
Arteriosclerosis. This is narrowing of the arteries due to cholesterol, smoking and alcohol. The stricture causes turbulence of the blood which is heard as a whooshing noise if the ear is nearby.
Complications of procedures. Tinnitus can be caused as a side effect of having the ears syringed and surgical procedures.
Wax impaction. This needs suctioning to remove it.
Foreign bodies. For example a pea or a wasp in the ear. Ear plugs can prevent insects going in the ears.
