Tinnitus

What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the sound of ringing, roaring, buzzing, or clicking that occurs inside the head. The sounds:

• may come and go
• may be continuous
• vary in pitch
• may occur in one or both ears

Currently, there are approximately 36 million people in the United States who suffer from tinnitus.

What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus may result from a variety of causes, including:

• damage to the nerve endings in the inner ear
• stiffening of bones in the middle ear
• advancing age
• exposure to loud noises
• allergy
• high or low blood pressure
• tumor
• diabetes
• thyroid problems
• head or neck injury
• reaction to certain medications

Treatment for tinnitus:

Specific treatment will be determined by the physician(s) based on:

• patient's age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• expectations for the course of the disease
• patient's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• patient's (or family's) opinion or preference

Generally, there is no specific treatment for tinnitus. If a particular cause can be identified, treatment for the cause may reduce or eliminate tinnitus.

Suggestions for reducing the severity of tinnitus include:

• avoid loud sounds
• have blood pressure checked
• decrease intake of salt, which impairs blood circulation
• avoid stimulants such as coffee, colas, and tobacco
• exercise daily to improve blood circulation
• get adequate rest
• learn to ignore the sounds of tinnitus as much as possible
• practice concentration and relaxation exercises
• hearing aid(s) may reduce the sounds of tinnitus
• mask the sounds of tinnitus with other, low-level sounds such as a ticking clock or specially-purchased "white noise" products

Information courtesy of University of Maryland Medical Center.