Tinnitus is typically classified as a ringing or roaring sound in the ears that no one else can hear and that does not go away. Tinnitus is generally classified into two basic types: pulsatile and non-pulsatile.
Pulsatile tinnitus can coincide with your heartbeat or breathing. A person suffering from pulsatile tinnitus will notice that there are frequent changes in the intensity of tone or pitch. This type of tinnitus is caused by circulation problems in the head, face, or neck or can be caused by the muscular motion of the muscles in and surrounding the ear. This type of tinnitus can also be caused by neck strain and muscle fatigue.
Non-pulsatile tinnitus generally presents with a constant pitch or tone in the ears that does not frequently change. This type of tinnitus is thought to be caused by nerve damage in the brain or in the nerves that control the hearing mechanism. Patients suffering from this type of tinnitus tend to describe the noise they hear as "coming from inside the head."
The causes of tinnitus are varied, and researchers have not been able to identify a single cause. Tinnitus is most frequently caused by the normal hearing loss that accompanies aging, but it can also be caused by a buildup of earwax or a blockage of the ear canal. damage to the eardrum (such as a perforation or a rupture), or lengthy exposure to loud noises or music, either at home or on the job. Tinnitus is a symptom of most ear disorders and diseases, so these ear disorders are difficult to diagnose without the presence of other symptoms.
Tinnitus can also be caused by seemingly non-related health problems, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, migraines, TMJ disorder, and the like. Patients who ingest large amounts of antibiotics, aspirins, and other anti-inflammatory medicines frequently begin to show symptoms of tinnitus. Sometimes consuming large amounts of alcohol or caffeine can cause tinnitus.
Researchers are beginning to discover that tinnitus is more a disease of the neurons in the brain than a disease of the inner workings of the ear. No absolute cure for tinnitus has been found and most treatments are still in the experimental stage, using medications and noise-canceling devices to rid the sufferer of the constant ringing.
Tinnitus will usually resolve on its own in most cases, but when the ringing will not go away or occurs only in one ear, seek help from a trained medical professional.
