What is Tinnitus?
Noises perceived to be originating in the ears or head are called “tinnitus.” Tinnitus may sound like:
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Ringing
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Whistling
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Buzzing
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Roaring
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Clicking
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Chirping
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Static
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Pulsing
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Fluttering
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Hissing
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Popping
Causes of Tinnitus
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Hearing Loss
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High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease or other Circulatory problems
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Central Nervous System problems, including:
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Stroke / Cerebrovascular Accident
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Head Trauma
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Seizure Disorders
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Neurological Diseases
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Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems
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Exposure to Loud Noise
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Ototoxic reactions or side effects from medication, drugs or other chemicals
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Kidney Disease
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Metabolic Diseases, such as Diabetes
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Meniere’s Disease
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Ear Infection
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Acoustic Neuroma - Tumors affecting the hearing or balance nerves
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Cochlear Fistula - A hole or weak spot in the inner ear
What can I do about my tinnitus?
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Avoiding overly quiet places will help make your tinnitus less noticeable.
Use amplification if a hearing loss is present.
Play music or other pleasant sounds, or leave a TV playing softly in the background.
Listen to a radio tuned to no station, so you can hear soft static noise.
Leave a fan running in the background.
Use a Tinnitus Masker instrument.
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Consult your otolaryngologist to find out if there is a medical treatment for whatever is causing your tinnitus.
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Use hearing protection and avoid loud noises, such as power tools, machinery and noisy appliances, loud motors, or gunfire. Also avoid loud music.
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Avoid cholesterol, salt, caffeine, alcohol and other unhealthy foods and beverages.
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Keep your blood pressure under control.
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Avoid ototoxins, such a chemicals or medications that might be harmful to your hearing.
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Consult your dentist if you have a clicking or popping noise or pain when you open and close your mouth. This could be a sign of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problem.