Nearly everyone will experience tinnitus at some point during their lives. For most of us, tinnitus is a
short-term annoyance that resolves itself on its own. Ranging in intensity from mild to severe, tinnitus is
most often described as a ringing in the ears, a whooshing sound, or a pulsating similar to a heartbeat.
Even short term tinnitus can cause disruption in daily activities, making it difficult to concentrate and
difficult to sleep.
Tinnitus is more common in people over the age of 65, and is also more common in Caucasian males. If
you're exposed to loud noises on a regular basis, through
your occupation or other means, you also may be more
likely to develop tinnitus. Hearing loss as a natural
occurrence of aging can also be a cause of tinnitus.
The cause of tinnitus is usually an underlying condition,
such as hearing loss, high blood pressure or even stress.
You may have experienced tinnitus after being exposed
an extremely loud noise, such as a music concert, an
explosion, or operating heavy machinery. This form of
tinnitus usually manifests as a ringing sound and is
closely linked to hearing loss resulting from damage of
the hearing nerve.
Curing tinnitus can be relatively easy. If you can identify
an underlying cause, it's simply a matter of remedying
that particular problem, and the tinnitus should go away on its own. If the cause of tinnitus isn't known,
however, it can be more difficult to treat.
The cause of tinnitus can be something as simple as an ear wax blockage in the ear, or something more
complex, such as the growth of a bony mass on the cochlea. More serious conditions, such as an
aneurysm or brain tumor, are also possible, although extremely rare. Blood-related disorders and
diseases can also be the cause of tinnitus. In addition to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and
turbulent blood flow caused by the kinking or blocking of an artery have also been identified as possible
causes of tinnitus.
Medications can contribute to tinnitus, as well. Aspirin, for example, can cause tinnitus, al