Hearing non-existent sounds such as ringing, rustling and buzzing is defined as ‘ringing in the ear’ or ‘tinnitus’ as it is called in the medical world. It is stated that the problem of tinnitus has become increasingly common in recent years due to factors such as being in a very noisy environment, talking too much on the mobile phone, listening to high volume music with headphones, increasing sound pollution in the environment and previous Covid-19 infection. So much so that today, one in every 15 people suffers from tinnitus at some point in their life. Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Dilaver Özturan explained the factors that cause tinnitus and made suggestions and warnings.
Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Dilaver Özturan says that although tinnitus, which can reach a level of severity that can reduce the quality of life, is usually caused by simple and easily treatable causes such as dirt in the external auditory canal, it can sometimes indicate a serious disease: “Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus is extremely important. Early detection of the factor causing tinnitus facilitates the response to treatment. If it is delayed, for example, if tinnitus is due to a disease such as ear hypertension, hearing loss may develop. Treatment of tinnitus is based on its cause. “When the cause is identified and treated, tinnitus often ceases to be a problem.”
Prof. Dr. Dilaver Özturan explained 10 reasons that cause tinnitus…
Acoustic trauma, which develops as a result of exposure to sudden and intense sound waves, can cause tinnitus as well as hearing loss. If acoustic trauma, which usually occurs in musicians who are exposed to extremely loud sounds, people who work in noisy environments, and hunters, is not treated, hearing loss can become permanent.
Meniere’s is a disease that occurs due to increased pressure in the sacs in the inner ear. Hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness are the most obvious signs of this disease, which develops in attacks. Stress control and diet are important in Meniere’s disease, where there are many treatment options.
Foreign substances such as dirt in the outer ear canal or hair in the ear are also among the factors that can cause tinnitus. In addition, tinnitus may also develop due to a hole in the eardrum.
Middle ear infections, which usually develop due to upper respiratory tract infection, cause hearing loss as well as tinnitus, which often develops as a buzzing sound in the ear. This is because infections contain swelling or fluid that can block the ear canal. In middle ear infections, treatment is applied according to the cause and satisfactory results are obtained most of the time.
Otosclerosis, also known as ‘ear calcification’, develops due to calcification of the ossicles in the middle ear. Otosclerosis, which is mostly manifested by hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms, is more common in women and people with a genetic predisposition. Otosclerosis, a disease in which hearing loss increases in women during pregnancy, can be treated with surgery.
Acoustic neuromas, which are benign tumors of the ear nerve, may cause tinnitus as well as hearing loss due to compression of the auditory nerve in the ear canal. These benign tumors, which usually cause unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in the area where they are located, are treated with surgery and usually do not require additional treatment.
High blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes and high cholesterol, which directly affect blood vessels, are also among the causes of tinnitus. Treating these diseases can often eliminate the tinnitus problem. In addition to anemia and iron deficiency, vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency can also cause tinnitus.
Various medications used in the treatment of diseases can also cause ringing in the ears. For example, ringing in the ears may develop with the use of some antibiotics, diuretics or blood thinners.
This toxic situation, which occurs through nutrition or breathing, can occur with balance disorders, hearing problems, nausea and vomiting. In addition to these complaints, heavy metal poisoning also triggers tinnitus.
Headache, vomiting, double vision and balance disorders are the most common symptoms of brain tumors. However, although very rare, these tumors can also manifest themselves with tinnitus.
