Do you hear ringing and buzzing in your ears? You may be suffering from tinnitus, a hearing disorder with multiple causes. They can be occasional, accompanied by dizziness and more or less serious. Treatments and solutions to get rid of it.
Tinnitus refers to the hissing or buzzing (“noise” noises) that a person thinks he hears in his ears. They can be felt in left ear, right ear or both. “Approximately 20 million French experience tinnitus of which 6 million suffer from it “often”” according to one study published in February 2020 and conducted by the IFOP for the JNA Association (National Hearing Day). The proliferation of musical events (concerts, festivals) and the omnipresence of earphones and headphones in our daily lives promote impairment of our hearing when the sound volume is high. In addition to sound environments, several diseases can be the cause of tinnitus, hence the importance of diagnosis to establish the appropriate treatments. Is that bad to have tinnitus? Does tinnitus to heal ? How to stop tinnitus?
Definition: what is tinnitus?
Tinnitus are manifested by the perception of extraneous noises : hissing, ringing or buzzing. “tinnitus is noise perceived in one ear, in both ears, or diffusely in the head when there is no noise outside“, explains the Dr Nils Morel, President of the National Syndicate of Doctors Specialized in ENT and Cervico-Facial Surgery (SNORL)which adds:if most tinnitus is subjective (inaudible to a third party), they can also be goals. That is to say in relation to a mechanical phenomenon of the body such as a involuntary muscle contraction or blood flow noises. In the latter case, tinnitus is often pulsatile, punctuated by heart movements.” Pulsatile tinnitus may be secondary to many disorders, including intracranial hypertension, atherosclerosis, otitis or hyperthyroidism.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Anyone can get tinnitus, especially transient tinnitus. Moreover, the vast majority of people have already felt it, or rather heard it, especially when going to bed. after a concert or a night out. “By being attentive, it is even common to hear “the sound of silence” in the calm, a slight hiss as an electrical appliance standbyThis symptom may also make the affected person feel like they have the blocked ears.
Is it serious to have tinnitus?
In sum, tinnitus is a problem when it is intense and long-lasting. But also when accompanied by other symptoms such as deafness (sensation of clogged ears), hyperacusis (auditory hypersensitivity), dizziness, headache.
Tinnitus and vertigo: what is it?
In some people, tinnitus can be accompanied by dizziness. This association of symptoms is often linked to the Meniere’s diseasea pathology of the inner ear.
What are the causes of tinnitus?
The causes of tinnitus can be multiple. While pulsatile tinnitus suggests cardiovascular disease, subjective tinnitus”may be a consequence of inner ear dysfunction or pain“, indicates Nils Morel Note that ear infections can sometimes cause tinnitus. Similarly, some ear diseases, such as Meniere’s disease, can combine different symptoms such as vertigo, but also tinnitus and hearing loss. Its origin is still unknown today. When the tinnitus is unilateral, we must also think about the acoustic neuroma. Neurological diseases can associate headaches and tinnitus.
Only the patient can make the diagnosis, because only he can appreciate the discomfort felt. Then you have to consult an ENT for him to perform a clinical examination in search of any problem with the inner ear. Besides a hearing test he will carry out, the doctor may prescribe a CT or MRI imaging. But the examination does not necessarily reveal anything and the origin of the tinnitus often remains unknown.
For subjective tinnitustwo axes of treatment can be proposed: “submerge the tinnitus or forget it”.
► To overwhelm tinnitusit must be masked by other noises, commonly called THE white noise (comparable to the sound of an out of adjustment TV). “Therapeutically, it is restore hearing whenever possible through a hearing aid. It is also possible to generate a masking noise thanks to devices or to propose to the patient to put on a musical background when he tries to fall asleep“, specifies Nils Morel.
► To forget about tinnitusthe patient can search to reduce stress and develop or acquire relaxation tools via the sport, hypnosis, sophrology, etc. Thus, the patient will acquire tools to reduce his tinnitus and the inconvenience caused. “If the tinnitus becomes disabling, additional treatments will be offered. The patient should not be left alone and we can recognize the very beneficial work of patient associations“, concludes Dr. Nils Morel.
To prevent the appearance of tinnitus, the first solution is to avoid exposing yourself to excessively loud noises over long periods of time, whether:
► At musical events such as concerts, festivals or nightclubs : avoid approaching the speakers or wear earplugs adapted.
► By using your earphones or headsets setting the volume to a moderate level.
Thanks to Dr. Nils Morel, president of the National Union of Doctors specializing in ENT and Cervico-Facial Surgery (SNORL), for his clarifications.