The buzzing in the ears or tinnitus is perceived in the ears that do not come from the external environment. In most cases of tinnitus, they occur along with hearing loss. Intermittent or continuous noise can occur as ringing, buzzing, clicking, roaring or hissing. Millions of individuals are affected by this condition, especially the adults.
What are the causes of tinnitus?
Inner ear hearing loss
Any abnormalities in the structures of the inner ear that results to hearing loss can cause tinnitus. Presbycusis or age-related hearing loss is a usual cause of tinnitus. Being exposed to loud noises also causes inner ear-related hearing loss. Constant exposure to intense loud noises over time or exposure to a blast-like noise can lead to this hearing loss.
Other possible causes of inner ear hearing loss include head injuries, ear-toxic medications, inner ear infections, Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma, vitamin B12 deficiency, multiple sclerosis and thyroid disease.
The hearing loss might lead to abnormal activity that can result to abnormal activity in the brain region responsible for perception of sound which results to tinnitus. Always bear in mind that the condition is quite noticeable and disruptive in quiet environments.
Middle ear hearing loss
The middle ear is the area in between the eardrum and inner ear. It is comprised of 3 miniature bones or ossicles that transmit sound-induced vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
Any abnormalities in the middle ear can result to hearing loss that can lead to tinnitus. Problems with the inner ear that lead to tinnitus include eardrum rupture, fluid accumulation in the middle ear and disruption or scarring of the ossicles. In contrast to inner ear-related hearing loss, most cases of abnormalities that lead to hearing loss are reversible. Proper management of middle ear disease as well as bringing back regular hearing naturally alleviates or eradicates the associated tinnitus.
Disruption in the blood flow
The disturbance in the flow of blood close to the middle ear can result to the pulsatile type which is noise that occurs in rhythm with the heartbeat. The doctor can oftentimes hear this form of tinnitus by placing a stethoscope on the skin close to the ear.
Increased or highly turbulent blood flow can precipitate this form of tinnitus. The likely causes include anomalous blood vessel growths called as arteriovenous malformations, growths in the middle ear as well as atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries.