Of Ringing Sounds and Buzzing Bees, Tinnitus and Its Treatment

Tinnitus is extremely common. It is a condition where patients hear noises within their head or ears, and the only person who can hear the noise is the person themselves. It is usually described as a ringing noise, but in some patients it takes the form of a high pitched whining, buzzing, hissing, screaming, humming, tinging or whistling sound.

While Tinnitus is not classified as a disease, it is actually a symptom of something else that is going on in the hearing system or brain. It is frequently, but not always, associated with hearing loss; and can, in some cases, interfere with a person's day-to-day life (in some extreme circumstances, patients reported to have withdrawn from society and experienced depression).

The most common cause for Tinnitus is hearing loss. Existing theories asserts that damage to the cochlea causes it to send irregular signals to the brain. This atypical signal then, confuses the brain thus, causing the brain to develop its own noise to make up for the lack of normal sound signals. Loud noises, which can damage normal hearing, also cause Tinnitus. Unfortunately, a lot of people are unconcerned about the detrimental effects of excessively loud noises from firearms, high intensity music, and other sources.

Other causes of tinnitus also includes drugs as aspirin (if overused), aminoglycoside antibiotics (a powerful form of infection-fighting drug), and quinine . Meniere's disease includes dizziness , tinnitus, and fullness in the ear or hearing loss that can last for hours, but then goes away. This disease is actually caused by a problem in the ear itself. The tinnitus is merely a symptom.
In this case, the tumor grows on the nerve that is responsible for auditory perceptions which then causes Tinnitus.

How Do You Treat Tinnitus?
Advances in medicine and research have produced different techniques in the prevention and treatment of said symptom. Current treatment options usually depend on the causes identified. A couple of treatment options include taking medications or using maskers-small devices (like hearing aids) that help block the sound of the tinnitus with "white noise".

In cases where Tinnitus is caused by other rare problems like tumors or aneurysm, treatment would necessitate fixing the main issue. While it does not always solve Tinnitus, patients note relief of their symptoms. Neuromonics, the new buzz word in the world of Tinnitus, has been one of the most successful approaches used for the cure of Tinnitus. However, it has not been the solution for all Tinitus patients therefore, new therapies still continue to emerge.

But it should be said, prevention is still better than treatment.

Cure for Tinnitus