Ringing or noise in the ears
Tinnitus, or noise in the ears, refers to sounds that are perceived in one or both ears. These sounds may be soft or loud, high-pitched or low-pitched. In older adults, tinnitus may be a sign of hearing loss.
Causes
Tinnitus, or noise in the ears, most often results from microscopic damage to the endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Damage to these nerve endings also causes hearing loss. Exposure to loud noise, as well as medicines with side effects such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, sedatives, antidepressants and aspirin, may cause tinnitus, or noise in one or both ears. Tinnitus may also be caused by other factors such as a blocked ear, ear or sinus infections, allergies, high and low blood pressure, tumours, as well as other problems of the heart and blood vessels, hormonal changes in women and thyroid gland disorders.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ear noise are closely linked to Ménière's disease, which is caused by increased intralabyrinthine pressure (hydrops of the labyrinth), a consequence of general vascular disorders that increase the permeability of the blood vessels. The disease is characterised by attacks of: dizziness, noise in the ears and sensorineural hearing loss.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will diagnose ear noise or tinnitus by carrying out a complete physical examination based on a detailed medical history. Other tests, such as a hearing test (audiometry) and brain imaging such as MRI or CT, may be required to confirm your condition. A spinal tap may also be necessary in order to assess the pressure of the fluid in the skull and spinal cord.
Treatment
Treatment options for noise in the ears include:
- Counselling: This is an educational component that helps you understand and change the way you think about noise in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Hearing aids: These devices help people who have hearing loss accompanied by noise in the ears.
- In-ear devices: These are small electronic devices placed in the ear that mask the ringing in the ear using a soft, pleasant sound.
- Headphones: used to listen to gentle, pleasant music, including music for meditation and sounds such as sea waves, rain, a light summer breeze and similar, which help you stay relaxed.
- Acoustic neural stimulation: this is a new technique for people who experience very loud, ringing noise. It involves the use of an electronic device that sends stimulating acoustic signals to the brain. This treatment stimulates changes in the nerve pathways and allows the brain to become insensitive to the sounds.
- Cochlear implant: helps to mask the noise in the ear and stimulates the auditory nerve fibres.
- Therapy with antidepressants and anxiolytics, which are recommended to help you relax and to support sleep.
Prevention
Some preventive tips to reduce or lessen noise in the ears are:
- Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noise.
- Blood pressure should be checked regularly and kept under control.
- It is advisable to use as little salt as possible in food, as it also impairs blood circulation.
- Reduce the consumption of coffee, tea, Coca-Cola and tobacco.
- Regular exercise to improve blood circulation.
- Avoid fatigue and rest as much as possible
- Avoid worrying about the noise