The noises in my ears ?
Am I hearing things? There are noises in my ears. These noises are known as tinnitus. It is becoming increasingly common, with as many as one in ten people experiencing them at some time in their lives. However, for one in a hundred people, noises in the ears are a serious problem that affects their lives, their sleeping patterns and can cause depression.
If you suffer from noises in the ears, such as ringing, buzzing, whistles, distant roaring or a low level hum, then there are several ways in which the ENT specialist can help.
Firstly, try to understand that tinnitus is not a single disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. There are many causes of tinnitus, however the most important thing for your ENT doctor to rule out, is a brain tumor. This can be the cause of noises in the ear, especially where the noises in the ear only occur on one side. If your ENT specialist thinks there is a risk of tumor, they will proceed with a CT or MRI scan.
Fortunately, tumors are very rarely the cause of noises in the ears, and your ENT doctor will work to try and isolate the true cause. Your ENT surgeon will carry out a thorough examination to see if there is any blockage, such as wax or a foreign body, which is blocking the ear and amplifying the internal sounds of the body. Fluid, infection, or diseases of the middle ear bones or ear drum (tympanic membrane) can also cause tinnitus. Your ENT surgeon will also check for damage to the nerve endings, which can be caused by exposure to loud noises, such as a rock concert or an explosion. This damage can often be temporary, with the noises in your ears diminishing over time as the ear recovers.
You will also need to undergo a hearing test , to see if the noises in the ears are associated with hearing loss. This is often the case with older patients, as the nerves in the ear age and become less responsive. Tinnitus can also be a consequence of long term Diabetes, Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia.
Left untreated, noises in the ears can become a serious problem, disturbing your daily life, keeping you awake at night and seriously getting you down, so don’t suffer in silence , contact an ENT specialists see if they can help. Put your mind at rest that the noises in the ears are not a symptom of something more sinister.
Am I hearing things? There are noises in my ears. These noises are known as tinnitus. It is becoming increasingly common, with as many as one in ten people experiencing them at some time in their lives. However, for one in a hundred people, noises in the ears are a serious problem that affects their lives, their sleeping patterns and can cause depression.
If you suffer from noises in the ears, such as ringing, buzzing, whistles, distant roaring or a low level hum, then there are several ways in which the ENT specialist can help.
Firstly, try to understand that tinnitus is not a single disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. There are many causes of tinnitus, however the most important thing for your ENT doctor to rule out, is a brain tumor. This can be the cause of noises in the ear, especially where the noises in the ear only occur on one side. If your ENT specialist thinks there is a risk of tumor, they will proceed with a CT or MRI scan.
Fortunately, tumors are very rarely the cause of noises in the ears, and your ENT doctor will work to try and isolate the true cause. Your ENT surgeon will carry out a thorough examination to see if there is any blockage, such as wax or a foreign body, which is blocking the ear and amplifying the internal sounds of the body. Fluid, infection, or diseases of the middle ear bones or ear drum (tympanic membrane) can also cause tinnitus. Your ENT surgeon will also check for damage to the nerve endings, which can be caused by exposure to loud noises, such as a rock concert or an explosion. This damage can often be temporary, with the noises in your ears diminishing over time as the ear recovers.
You will also need to undergo a hearing test , to see if the noises in the ears are associated with hearing loss. This is often the case with older patients, as the nerves in the ear age and become less responsive. Tinnitus can also be a consequence of long term Diabetes, Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia.
Left untreated, noises in the ears can become a serious problem, disturbing your daily life, keeping you awake at night and seriously getting you down, so don’t suffer in silence , contact an ENT specialists see if they can help. Put your mind at rest that the noises in the ears are not a symptom of something more sinister.
