Tinnitus is a ringing, swishing, or other type of noise that seems to originate in the ear or head. In many cases it is not a serious problem, but rather a nuisance that may in time go away. It is not a single disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this disorder.

First of all it is important for you to understand that Tinnitus is itself not a disease, it is a resulting symptom of a variety of causes. However, no particular cause is more pertinent than the other and the exact cause may never be determined.

Causes

Exposure to Loud Noise : If you are continually exposed to loud and high intensity noise, its harmful effects can be one of the prime causes of Tinnitus.

Ear Infections : Damage to the endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear, middle ear bones or ear drum fluid, infection etc. or even if you have presence of any foreign body or wax in the ear, this can also lead to Tinnitus.

Side effect of Medications : High dosage of oral medications can also lead to temporary or even permanent Tinnitus. Therefore, it is always advisable that you consult your doctor as to whether the side effect of any his prescribed medicine’s could lead to the condition.

Age : Tinnitus is generally rare at a young age. With advancing age people develop hearing nerve impairment, which in turn can also lead to Tinnitus.

Widely speaking, there are two different kinds of Tinnitus namely, Subjective Tinnitus and Objective Tinnitus. Subjective Tinnitus is more commonly found and may be caused by neurological, metabolic, or psychogenic disorders. In this case, only you will hear the noise, and no other person can hear it..

Symptoms

* Dizziness

* Pain in the ear

* A sense of fullness in the ears

* Headache

Tinnitus Treatment

In most cases, there is no specific treatment for ear and head noise. If your otolaryngologist finds a specific cause of your tinnitus, he or she may be able to eliminate the noise. But, this determination may require extensive testing including X-rays, balance tests, and laboratory work. However, most causes cannot be identified. Occasionally, medicine may help the noise. The medications used are varied, and several may be tried to see if they help.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - Effective in alleviating distress and producing adaptation to tinnitus. CBT is threefold: changing the way a person perceives tinnitus; teaching ways to focus attention away from tinnitus and achieving control over stress. Offered by clinical psychologists.