TINNITUS
What is Tinnitus ?
Tinnitus is the presence of a noise heard in the ears or head which is not coming from your surroundings. The noise may be of different types, including roaring, buzzing, singing, whistling or machine-like noises. Some cases occur without deafness, but most patients have some degree of hearing loss. You may notice that the noise is most often present when it is quiet. It is also likely to be less obvious when you are distracted by other sounds. The ordinary, everyday noise of living tends to mask tinnitus. There is, however, a small group of people whose tinnitus is made worse by their sensitivity to sound. How does Tinnitus occur ?
In a few patients, the noise may be heard by the doctor using a stethoscope. In these cases, the tinnitus arises from pulsation or narrowing in blood vessels of the head or neck. A noise is also sometimes produced by contraction of muscles in the ear or palate, and this may be heard by other people. In most other cases, however, the noise cannot be heard by people other than you. In most cases of tinnitus the exact way in which the noise is produced is unknown. It is most common in patients over the age of 50. In this age group, there is usually some degree of deafness due to the ageing process (presbycusis). People who have noise-induced hearing loss, usually have some tinnitus. It is also seen in a condition called Meniere’s disease, in which dizziness, tinnitus and variable hearing loss occur. The noise may also be a side-effect of some drugs such as aspirin. In a small percentage of patients, tinnitus may be due to a disorder of the nervous system. Conditions which affect the middle ear may also have tinnitus as one of the symptoms. This group includes wax near the ear drum, various types of middle ear infection (otitis media), and otosclerosis. Sometimes an external noise may be mistaken for tinnitus. This can happen in people who have unusually perceptive hearing. There are separate information leaflets on all these conditions. Treatment involved for Tinnitus
Most patients with tinnitus do not have any serious disease. Examination and tests will probably allow you to be reassured. However, if it continues to to be a problem you may be referred to a specialist. Blood and hearing tests are then carried out. Sometimes, CT or MRI scans will be needed, particularly if the tinnitus is one-sided. Mostly, these tests will turn out to be normal: patients can be reassured. The noise will fade into the background or even disappear after a time. The fact that additional noise can actually mask tinnitus is used in the treatment of some cases. A hearing aid (which makes normal sounds louder may be tried. A tinnitus masker is also sometimes of help. It is like a hearing aid but produces a constant noise. It is usually a matter of trial and error to find the most suitable treatment. Some patients are best helped by one or two aids, but combinations of aids and maskers may be tried. There is at the moment no drug treatment which can reliably help tinnitus without risk of side-effects. The exceptions to this rule are patients who have serious anxiety or depression with their tinnitus. Drugs for anxiety or depression will often indirectly help the tinnitus. Self-help groups may be of particular value in tinnitus. Where investigation reveals a specific cause for tinnitus, treatment for that condition may relieve the symptom. The simplest example is wax which can be removed with relief of symptoms in some cases. A tinnitus therapist can offer a range of treatments, but such help is in short supply. If Tinnitus is left untreated
You are very unlikely to come to any harm. A very small percentage of patients will be found to have significant conditions which require treatment. Some of these patients would suffer ill health or distress which can be avoided if they seek medical help.
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CT
SCAN
MRI
SCAN
ACUTE
OTITIS MEDIA
CHRONIC
OTITIS MEDIA (CSOM)
BRAIN
TUMOURS - GROWTH OF THE BRAIN
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