Causes of Tinnitus
by OurChapters on Jul.24, 2009, under OurChapters
Causes of Tinnitus
Millions of folks have} some form of tinnitus but what causes this condition? It may be tough to pinpoint an actual cause of tinnitus but there are a few things that can be a factor or contribute or contribute to this condition. The most typical cause of tinnitus is ear damage. This could be due to an injury, infection or some other medical problem.
When the tiny hairs that are found 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 thru 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 issues related to any of the following eventualities may also cause or increase your possibility 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 assumed that the tinnitus causes somebody to become stressed and and depressed, although these conditions can make contributions to tinnitus and make the symptoms worse.
There are even a number of medicines that will be associated with tinnitus like the following:
Pulsatile tinnitus is the type that causes the person to hear sounds that palpitate in time with your heartbeat. These sounds can be intermittent or constant.
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 consistent basis. This is why it is recommended you wear ear plugs if you’re employed around machinery or spend plenty of time listing to loud music. Short term exposure can cause non permanent issues but long term exposure to loud noises can do long-term damage.
Taking care of your health can help reduce your possibility of getting tinnitus. Avoid loud noises, eat right, exercise frequently and look after your hearing at every point. Wear a helmet when riding a bike or when joining 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.
The info provided is for research purposes only. No medical advice is implied. With all health problems it is recommended for you to consult a doctor before taking any medical advice.