|
|
Tinnitus - Some Pointers
What is Tinnitus?
- Latin word meaning only “to ring”
- Sensation of noise where there is no external source
- Objective and subjective types
- Not a disease
- Can be experienced temporarily or long term - depending on cause
What does Tinnitus sound like?
- Can be in one ear, both or in whole head
- Can vary in volume for no reason
- Only increases in volume in few cases
- Clicking, buzzing, humming, throbbing, fizzing, screeching, ringing etc.
What causes Tinnitus?
Usually an overstimulation or damage to the inner ear hair cells which then send an irregular stream of signals to the part of the brain which perceives sound (called the auditory cortex). Occasionally related to the hearing mechanism in the ear itself.
There are many other causes of tinnitus, a list of which can be seen below, but just because an individual experiences one of the following, does not mean that they will have tinnitus.
- Ageing
- Exposure to loud noise
- Wax
- Rarely, ear tumours
- Certain drugs
- Ear infections
- Harsh syringing
- Jaw disorders
- Vascular abnormalities
- High blood cholesterol
- Stress, illness, injury
- Catarrh
- Menieres disease
- Personal stereos and discos
- Pre menstrual tension
- Tobacco, alcohol, caffeine
- Some thyroid disorders
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Dental procedures
- Arthritis
- Zinc deficiency
- Anaemia
- Labyrinthitis
- Colds and viral infections
- Migraine
- Hypertension
- Ostosclerosis
- Some ear surgery
Is Tinnitus hereditary?
In some instances it can be.
Can I go deaf through Tinnitus?
- Some deaf people can have tinnitus although some have no tinnitus at all.
- People with normal hearing can have tinnitus.
- No research to suggest tinnitus can make you go deaf.
Is there a cure?
- If caused by wax, blockage or infection - often yes.
- Other causes no, but extensive research projects are happening world-wide
- Treatment available which can in some cases alleviate the effects of tinnitus
- Tinnitus is a symptom. Need to know more about underlying problem causing it so no one chemical, drug or surgery technique can be expected to result in a cure. Methods available to manage the symptoms.
How is tinnitus diagnosed?
- GP
- ENT departments.
- Audiologists.
- Hearing therapists.....
- Types of tests, e.g. tinnitus audiograms
- Limited facilities/knowledge/sympathy in Ireland
Where can I get help and advice?
Current aims of Irish Tinnitus Association to gain further interest from medical profession
- Counselling
- Self Help groups
- Inform self
How can I cope with or alleviate my Tinnitus and the effects of it?
- Think positive
- Acceptance
- Avoid Stress
- Avoid loud noise exposure
- Keep occupied
- Don’t sleep during day
- Don’t rush around necessarily
- Try masking
- Don’t drink too much alcohol
- Attempt not to worry
- Evaluate effects of foods and drinks on your tinnitus
- Attend self help group
- Counselling
- Talk to a friend
- Develop a hobby
How can I talk to others with tinnitus?
Join a Support Group
What makes tinnitus worse ?
- Stress
- Avoid aspirin and quinine
Does Tinnitus affect children?
It can do and is often associated with other ear problems.
What is masking?
A method of disguising or covering the internally experienced sounds with more acceptable and distracting external sounds. Many people benefit from masking but a few find external noise makes their tinnitus worse.
What if I can’t sleep?
- Avoid late meals/indigestion
- Warm bath/hot drink
- Get up if not asleep within 15mins. Do something to relax, read.
- Return to bed. Repeat process if still unable to sleep.
- Accept and don’t fight it.
- Try masking/pillow speaker
- Dr. Laurence McKenna’s leaflet “Goodnight – Sleep Tight” is available from Irish Tinnitus Association.
Irish Tinnitus Association:
Head Office: 35 North Frederick Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0)1 817 5700
Fax: +353 (0)1 8723816
Minicom: +353 (0)1 817 5777
S.M.S. +353 (0)1 8783629
Email : ita@deafhear.ie
Think positively!
|
Home
Irish Tinnitus Association
