Millions of people suffer from some form of tinnitus but what causes this condition? It may be difficult to pinpoint an exact cause of tinnitus but there are several things that can be a factor or contribute to this condition. The most common cause of tinnitus is ear damage. This can be due to an injury, infection or some other medical condition.

When the tiny hairs that are located in your inner ear become damaged it can cause tinnitus. These hairs will move when they come in contact with sound waves. This motion triggers the ear cells to send an electrical signal through the auditory nerve to your brain which are then perceived as sounds. When these hairs are damaged they send random electrical impulses to the brain causing tinnitus.

Health problems related to any of the following scenarios can also cause or increase your risk of having tinnitus:

• Hearing loss due to aging.

• Changes that occur in the ear bones usually caused by otosclerosis.

• An excessive amount of earwax build-up.

• Head or neck injuries.

• Meniere's disease which is an inner ear disorder.

• Acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumor that develops on the cranial nerve running from the brain to the inner ear. This condition affects balance, hearing and can cause tinnitus.

• Muscle Spasms

• TMJ, Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

Some people believe that stress and depression causes tinnitus but many medical professionals don't agree. It is believed that the tinnitus causes a person to become stressed out and depressed, although these conditions can contribute to tinnitus and make the symptoms worse.

There are even a variety of medications that can be associated with tinnitus such as the following:

• Certain Cancer Medications

• Certain Antibiotics

• Excessive Amounts of Aspirin

• Diuretics

• Quinine Medications

Pulsatile tinnitus is the type that causes the person to hear sounds that pulsate in time with your heartbeat. These sounds can be intermittent or continuous.

The following conditions can cause pulsatile tinnitus:

• High blood pressure caused by hypertension, stress, caffeine and so forth.

• Atherosclerosis due to ageing or cholesterol build-up.

• Tumors formed on the head or neck.

• Malformation of capillaries forming between the arteries and veins.

• Any condition that can cause an unstable blood flow.

Chronic health conditions and being exposed to loud noises can also be a cause of tinnitus. Any type of loud noise can do damage to your ears especially if you are exposed to this noise on a regular basis. This is why it is recommended you wear ear plugs if you work around machinery or spend a lot of time listing to loud music. Short-term exposure can cause temporary problems but long-term exposure to loud noises can do permanent damage.

Taking care of your health can help reduce your risk of getting tinnitus. Avoid loud noises, eat right, exercise regularly and protect your hearing at all times. Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or when engaging in activities that can cause a head or neck injury. You can lower your risks of getting tinnitus by taking good care of your ears and your overall health.