Newsletter February 2023

TINNITUS

The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn't caused by an external sound, and other people usually can't hear it. Tinnitus is a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people, and is especially common in older adults but more and more youngsters are getting in through over exposure of loud music.

CAUSES

Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition:

Hearing loss: There are tiny, delicate hair cells in your inner ear (cochlea) that move when your ear receives sound waves. This movement triggers electrical signals along the nerve from your ear to your brain (auditory nerve). Your brain interprets these signals as sound. If the hairs inside your inner ear are bent or broken — this happens as you age or when you are regularly exposed to loud sounds — they can "leak" random electrical impulses to your brain, causing tinnitus
Head/ neck injury: head or neck trauma can affect the inner ear, hearing nerves or brain function linked to hearing. Such injuries usually cause tinnitus in only one ear.
Ear infection or ear canal blockage: this can change the pressure in your ear, causing tinnitus.
Medication: A number of medications may cause or worsen tinnitus. Medications known to cause tinnitus include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, water pills (diuretics), antimalarial drugs and antidepressants.

Less common causes of tinnitus include other ear problems, Meniere´s disease, ear bone changes, muscle spasms in the inner ear (for example in multiples sclerosis), TMJ (temporomandibular) joint disorders and chronic health conditions, and injuries or conditions that affect the nerves in your ear or the hearing center in your brain.

Risk factors:

Loud noises, such as those from heavy machines, portable music, if played loudly for long periods and music concerts. People who work in noisy environments — such as factory and construction workers, musicians, and soldiers — are particularly at risk.
Age. As you age, the number of functioning nerve fibers in your ears declines, possibly causing hearing problems often associated with tinnitus.
Sex: men are more likely to experience tinnitus.
Alcohol and drug use.
Obesity, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, and a history of arthritis or head injury all increase your risk of tinnitus.

You should see a doctor when the tinnitus disrupts your daily live. Or, when you develop tinnitus after an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, and your tinnitus doesn't improve within a week. Also see your GP when you have hearing loss or dizziness with the tinnitus.