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  1. Tinnitus
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  2. Tinnitus - Overview

    Verified Expert
    A condition with a constant ringing sound in the ear in the absence of an external source. It is not a serious condition and improves gradually with treatment.
    How common is condition?
    Very common (More than 3 million cases per year in US)
    Is condition treatable?
    Treatable by a medical professional
    Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
    Often requires lab test or imaging
    Time taken for recovery
    Can last several years or be lifelong
    Condition Highlight
    Common for ages 60 and older
    Condition Highlight
    More common in males
    See more

    Causes

    Verified Expert

    • The common cause is due to the damage in the inner ear. The other causes include:
    • Damaged blood vessels in the brain near or around the ear
    • Age related hearing loss
    • High blood pressure
    • Overactive thyroid
    • Tumors in head and neck
    • Tumours in head and neck
    • Clogged arteries around middle or inner ear
    • Anemia
    • The risk factors include:
    • Prolonged exposure to loud sounds
    • Age - common after 60 years of age
    • Sex- Men are more prone to tinnitus
    • Smoking
    • Cardiovascular diseases

    See more

    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Contact your provider if experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms.

    The symptoms include:

    • Thumping or whooshing sound in the ear that often matches with the heartbeat, other kinds of noises can also be heard such as ringing or clicking
    • Heart palpitations or feeling the heart beat faster
    • Light-headedness

    See more
    What causes tinnitus?
    Ear infection or ear canal blockage. Your ear canals can become blocked with a buildup of fluid (ear infection), earwax, dirt or other foreign materials. A blockage can change the pressure in your ear, causing tinnitus. Head or neck injuries. Head or neck trauma can affect the inner ear, hearing nerves or brain function linked to hearing.
    mayoclinic.org

    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    Diagnosis involves a physical examination of the head and neck to identify the causative factors.

    Common tests & procedures

    Physical examination: Blood pressure and head rotation in association sound to identify the cause.

    Blood test: Blood tests to check for anemia and thyroid problems.

    Audiometry: Hearing tests to check for any hearing loss.

    CT scan: To check for any abnormalities in and around the ear canal.

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI of the ear is performed to identify any structural abnormalities.

    See more
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    Microsoft Start Health

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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Overview
    Causes
    Symptoms
    What causes tinnitus?
    Diagnosis
    Health guide
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  1. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org › diseases-conditions › ...

    Tinnitus - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

  2. Cleveland Clinic
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org › health › symptoms

    Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears): Causes & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic

  3. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org › diseases-conditions › ...

    Tinnitus - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

  4. Harvard Health
    https://www.health.harvard.edu › newsl…

    Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears and what to do about it

    Aug 15, 2022 · Tinnitus is sound in the head with no external source, such as ringing in the ears. It can be subjective or objective, constant or intermittent, and often associated with hearing loss. Learn about the possible causes, how to …

  5. American Tinnitus Association
    https://www.ata.org › about-tinnitus › therapy-and-treatment-options

    Therapy and Treatment Options | American Tinnitus Association

  6. Explore Chronic Tinnitus

  7. American Tinnitus Association
    https://www.ata.org › about-tinnitus › why-are-my-ears-ringing

    What is Tinnitus? | American Tinnitus Association

  8. NIDCD
    https://www.nidcd.nih.gov › health › tinnitus

    What Is Tinnitus? — Causes and Treatment - NIDCD

  9. Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org › condition…

    Tinnitus > Fact Sheets - Yale Medicine

    Tinnitus is a symptom of hearing problems that can cause ringing, buzzing or other sounds in the ears. Learn about the causes, diagnosis and treatment options for chronic tinnitus from Yale Medicine specialists.

  10. National Center for Biotechnology Information
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › books

    Tinnitus: Learn More – Chronic tinnitus: What helps – …

    Dec 15, 2022 · If tinnitus lasts longer than three months, it is considered to be chronic. In many cases the cause remains unknown. This makes it harder to treat effectively. A lot of treatments have been tried out and some have been tested …

  11. Harvard Health
    https://www.health.harvard.edu › topic…

    Tinnitus - Harvard Health

    Jan 19, 2024 · Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a sound in the ears with no external source, often described as ringing, buzzing, or hissing. It can be associated with hearing loss, earwax buildup, medications, or other factors. …