INFORMATION ON TINNITUS:-

Tinnitus may be defined as noise that develops within the ear rather than from the outside environment. The sounds have been described variously as a "ringing" sound, a "buzzing" sound, a "humming noise, "like running water", a "whistling" sound or like the "sound from a sea shell held close to the ear."
Tinnitus may affect one or both ears.

CAUSES OF TINNITUS:-

The factors which leads to the development of tinnitus are:-

1. Hearing loss.
2. Ear infection.
3. Wax in the ear.
4. Ear trauma.
5. Drugs such as aspirin.
6. Certain type of brain tumor known as an acoustic neuroma.

SYMPTOMS OF TINNITUS:-

The various symptoms which are associated with tinnitus are:-

1. Dizziness
2. Pain in the ear
3. A sense of fullness in the ears
4. Headache

DIAGNOSIS OF TINNITUS:-

Clinically tinnitus can be identified by following methods:-

1. Physical examination of head and neck.
2. MRI.
3. CT scan.
4. Auditory brainstem response (ABR).
5. Blood tests.

TREATMENT OF TINNITUS:-

After a careful evaluation, your doctor may find an identifiable cause and be able to treat or make recommendations to treat the tinnitus. Once you have had a thorough evaluation, an essential part of treatment is your own understanding of the tinnitus, i.e., what has caused it, and your options for treatment.

In many cases, there is no specific treatment for tinnitus. It may simply go away on its own, or it may be a permanent disability.