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Tinnitus There are many known ear problems and of these is tinnitus.
The term is taken from the Latin word of ‘ringing’. This disorder is basically described as a person’s hearing of a certain sound though there are no external factors causing that sound. The sound being heard is usually described as a constant ringing noise. This noise can be heard by both ears or by only one.
Some people who are affected with this though describe hearing other sounds such as beeping, songs, tunes, locusts, crickets, roaring, clicking, ticking, and whistling sound, humming, hissing, buzzing, whining, and whooshing sounds.
One thing must be made clear here. Tinnitus is not the disease. Rather, it is a symptom of many ear disorders. These underlying causes include presence of ear wax, foreign objects, ear infections, menieres disease, and an injury from a very loud noise.
Tinnitus can also be a side-effect from taking oral medications (e.g.: aspirin), and abnormal lowering of serotonin activity level.
Tinnitus patients vary in their level of hearing such sounds. Some only hear the noise in the background, as bit quiet but still there. Others though hear the noise very loudly, even to the point of other noises not being heard anymore. This in a way is a hearing loss.
In cities and countries that are industrialized, tinnitus is very common.
Objective tests are not really that effective in measuring or assessing the levels of tinnitus. This is because it has always been looked at as a phenomenon that is subjective. Because of this tinnitus treatments are not that well defined either.
Intensity and frequency of this disorder is often difficult to ascertain. That is why diagnosis is usually in the range of “catastrophic” and “slight.” Tinnitus can greatly affect a person’s life because daily activities such as sleeping and of course conversations can sorely suffer.
Finding a tinnitus treatment is important. But as mentioned, defining the severity of tinnitus is rather difficult at the moment. Those who have hearing loss because of it may be able to find relief with hearing aids.
There are various hearing aid types available. You can always consult your doctor about it. Hearing aids have been known to help many people. Though tinnitus is not the disease but a symptom, it still has lots of damaging effects. In your case, maybe you can minimize that damage through the help of a hearing aid. |
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