Tinnitus affects between 25 million to 50 million adults in the U.S. If you experience persistent buzzing, humming, ringing, or clicking noises, you may have Tinnitus. Temporary Tinnitus can be common after exposure to excessively loud noises such as music concerts, gunshots, and loud machinery. Most adults have experienced some level of Tinnitus in their lifetime.
Tinnitus can hinder your ability to concentrate or hold conversations and ranges in severity from mildly annoying to a persistent problem that causes anxiety, communication problems, and even depression.
Tinnitus occurs when a disruption happens to the hearing process within the middle or inner ear. Perceived ringing and other high-pitched sounds occur when sound waves in the ear are interfered with, causing distortions that result in the ringing and buzzing symptoms. Tinnitus is common in people who have suffered noise-induced hearing loss.
Tinnitus is usually the result of prolonged or repeated exposure to loud and excessive noises. It is estimated that around 90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of noise-related hearing loss. The cause of tinnitus is not often found unless the person is suffering from a closely related ailment.
Factors that can cause Tinnitus symptoms include:
- Ear infections
- Thyroid dysfunction or disease
- Meniere’s disease: A chronic disease that causes feelings of vertigo and dizziness
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Regular use of some medications