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TurkishTinnitus is a common ear problem frequently encountered in society and especially affects the 40-70 age group. This problem, which affects an average of 33% of the elderly population, can affect individuals of all ages and genders; it can give unilateral or bilateral symptoms. Tinnitus, which develops due to many reasons ranging from prolonged exposure to loud noise to traumas, can be treated with modern medical techniques.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the medical term for ringing in the ears and refers to the occurrence of sounds in a person's ear, such as beeping, whistling, buzzing, humming or hissing.
These sounds in the ear cannot be heard from the outside and can therefore only be described by the person themselves.
The intensity and nature of the sound in the ear can vary from person to person. Detailed ear examinations and testing of the hearing function of the ear are usually required to determine whether the problem is associated with hearing loss.
There may be many reasons behind tinnitus due to environmental or anatomical causes. The most important risk factor here is old age, as hearing problems can develop with age due to circulatory problems. Other reasons behind the disease are as follows:
- Ear infections
- Perforation of the eardrum
- Prolonged listening to loud music
- Exposure to excessively loud noise
- Use of earplugs
- Occupational deformations
- Sugar
- Anemia
- High blood pressure
- Heart and vascular problems
- Trauma and localized blows
- Hormone changes
- Ear bone changes
- Meniere's disease
- Brain tumors affecting the hearing function
- Stress
Symptoms of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a particular condition that is expressed by the patient in their own words. In general, patients describe this sound in the ear as whistling, ringing, buzzing, buzzing, insect sounds, hissing or throbbing. In some cases, the sounds may be short-lived or persist for a long time; in some people, the sounds usually occur at night and in quiet environments and are not very disturbing in daily life. In other cases, they can be unbearably loud.
The symptoms vary depending on the person and whether they have hearing loss or not.
In tinnitus problems due to eardrum perforations, ear infections and auditory nerve tumors, additional symptoms related to such diseases are also observed. Treatment is planned according to the underlying cause.
How is Tinnitus Treated?
The main issue in the treatment of tinnitus is to make the correct diagnosis and clearly identify the problem. For this, after listening to the patient's history, an audiometric examination is performed where hearing functions are tested. If there is any blockage or debris in the ear, the tinnitus problem is eliminated by cleaning these impurities. However, once it is realized that the patient has a hearing problem, different treatment methods should be tried. At this stage, various imaging techniques are used and the main cause is identified.
- In the presence of tumors affecting the auditory nerve; radiotherapy interventions or surgical operation are required.
- In case of dirt or debris in the external auditory canal; cleaning the ear and using medical methods are therapeutic.
- In tinnitus caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, and similar problems; treatment of the underlying disease eliminates the problem.
In addition, hearing aids, laser therapy and medications that increase inner ear circulation can be used if necessary. The treatment method here is planned according to the patient and proceeds as the physician deems appropriate.
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