Symptoms of Tinnitus

Do you have a persistent ringing in your ears? It could be that you’re experiencing tinnitus symptoms: a problem that around one in five people experience in their lifetime. This is a complex condition due to the fact that it can have a wide range of causes, which is why you should always seek an official diagnosis as soon as possible.

Here is a quick guide to the most common tinnitus symptoms to help you understand what might be happening to you:

Unusual Sounds

The main symptom of tinnitus is a ringing in the ears. However, sufferers can also experience a wide range of unusual sounds. These occur even when no external noise is present.

The sounds associated with tinnitus are commonly described as:

* Hissing,

* Whistling,

* Ringing,

* Roaring,

* Buzzing,

* Clicking,

* Humming,

* A beating in time with your heart rate.

You might just hear the noises in one ear or both. The noise can be at any pitch, and there may even be more than one distinguishable sound. The noise may go away and come back, or may be continuous.

Generally, the noises can only be heard by the sufferer. These tinnitus symptoms have a wide range of causes, such as damage to the nerves in the ear, problems with any part of the ear, or even stress.

In some instances, the doctor may be able to hear the ringing sound when they perform an examination. This kind of tinnitus is called “objective” and is usually caused by a problem with blood vessels, a condition in the inner ear bone, or problems with the muscles.

Side Effects

Due to the nature of the sound, tinnitus sufferers may find it difficult to hear external noises, or to concentrate on what they’re doing. These symptoms often get worse in quiet situations, such as lying in bed trying to get to sleep. Stress and anxiety are also known to exacerbate the condition.

Tinnitus affects all individuals differently, which explains why some are able to live with the condition while others are in much distress.

Tinnitus Is Itself A Symptom

It’s important to remember that tinnitus itself is a symptom of an underlying cause. This could be a medical condition, hearing loss related to aging, or damage following exposure to loud noise. Though the cause may not always be known, it’s vital that you visit a doctor to rule out a serious reason behind your tinnitus symptoms.