Learn about the causes of Tinnitus & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Tinnitus within New Zealand.
Tinnitus is a loud and persistent sound heard in one or both ears that has no external source. The sound is most commonly a ringing noise, but can also be described as hissing, whistling or buzzing. Tinnitus is a symptom caused by ear infections, injury or a blockage in the ear from wax or a foreign object.
Tinnitus is commonly caused by damage to the cochlea. Nerves in the ear
send impulses from the cochlea to the auditory system in the brain
which then interprets different sounds. When these nerves become
damaged, abnormal impulses are sent to the brain which interprets them
as the various noises associated with tinnitus (e.g. ringing, buzzing
etc.).
In young people, excessive noise results in damage to
hearing and in the elderly natural hearing loss desensitises the
hearing nerves. Other common causes of tinnitus include:
The main symptom of tinnitus is a distracting noise in the ear which
can be continuous or intermittent. Common sounds heard by tinnitus
sufferers include ringing, hissing, whistling, buzzing, rushing and
roaring.
Some people experience a musical tone while others
become sensitive to the sounds around them such as the radio or
television even when the volume is at a normal level.
In the first instance you should visit your GP who will then refer you
to an ear disorder specialist (known as an Otolaryngologist).
As
tinnitus is a symptom rather than a condition in itself, the specialist
will attempt to identify the underlying cause through a series of tests
including:
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk
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