Pronounced: Tin-EYE-tus
Tinnitus is the perception of abnormal ear or head noises. Tinnitus is unpleasant enough itself, and is sometimes a symptom of other problems, including hearing loss , tumors, and narrowing of the blood vessels. Noises may be high pitched and “ringing,” or sound more like a clicking. Some tinnitus is pulsatile, which means it may be caused by the flow of blood that accompanies each heart beat, and this happens in cases of narrowing of the blood vessels.
Many diseases and conditions are associated with tinnitus, including:
Rare episodes of tinnitus lasting at most a few minutes are quite common in normal people, especially after exposure to loud noises. Be sure to see a doctor for tinnitus that is persistent and/or associated with hearing loss, dizziness, change in personality, speech, or weakness in any body area. Tinnitus that is pulsatile or heard only on one side also generally requires a medical evaluation. Evaluation should be more urgent when tinnitus comes on rapidly, and especially when it is associated with personality change or any loss of bodily function.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Your risk of tinnitus increases with:
The sensations of tinnitus may have the following characteristics:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Special attention will be paid to your head, neck, and ears.
You will be asked questions about:
The doctor will look at your ear canal and eardrum using an instrument with a light that is held at the external opening of the ear. A tuning fork can help evaluate hearing. You should receive a complete hearing test. Other tests, such as an MRI scan , may be ordered to rule out serious conditions.
Tinnitus treatment depends on what is causing the symptoms. This may mean, for example:
Therapy aims to eliminate or reduce bothersome sensations. Treatment may include:
Antidepressants may be helpful in some patients. If Meniere's disease (a relatively common cause of tinnitus) is diagnosed, medications specific to that disorder may be prescribed.
Other mediations include valium .
Devices include:
Measures to discuss with your doctor if no cure or specific treatment is available include:
Surgery may help relieve certain causes of tinnitus if the cause of the tinnitus is treated.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entnet.org
American Tinnitus Association
http://www.ata.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Society of Otolaryngology
http://www.entcanada.org/default.asp
The Canadian Hearing Society
http://www.chs.ca/
References:
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery website. Available at: http://www.entnet.org .
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/default.htm .
American Tinnitus Association website. Available at: http://www.ata.org .
Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . WB Saunders Co.; 2001.
Primary Care Medicine. 4th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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