Understanding the root cause of tinnitus is the first step towards treating tinnitus.
Being diagnosed by a physician is usually the way most suffers discover they have tinnitus. This can come as a shock for most people as the don't know that the ailment exists. If this applies to you and you've been diagnosed by a physician you will want to gather as much information about tinnitus including all the possible causes of tinnitus.
The false perception of ring or buzzing in the ears is basically what tinnitus is. These buzzing sounds are not real, they are the symptoms of the condition.
Different sufferers experience slightly different symptoms. Some hear sounds in only one ear, and some experience it in both ears. While different noise levels and sounds are heard by different patients. For many suffers the sound the experience is a ringing sound but other descriptions include;
Buzzing
Hissing
Humming
Whistling
Ticking
Clicking
Roaring
Ocean sounds
Crickets
Beeping
Tunes/songs
Although the reported sounds may vary it is still the same condition.
So if tinnitus is a symptom rather than a disease, what is the cause of tinnitus? There are lots factors that can cuase tinnitus, some of these include;
Otologic problems and hearing loss
conductive hearing loss
external ear infection
cerumen (earwax) impaction
middle ear effusion
sensorineural hearing loss
excessive or loud noise
presbycusis
Meniere's disease
acoustic neuroma
ototoxic medications
analgesics
anti-inflammatory drugs
antibiotics
chemotherapy drugs
loop diuretics
neurological disorders
metabolic disorders
psychogenic disorders
If you are showing tinnitus symptoms and have suffered from any of these conditions it's highly likely you have tinnitus.
There are many ways to help you combat the causes of Tinnitus without the use of drugs or surgery. I've reviewed a great book on the subject of Tinnitus Treatments.
It will give you options that you probably never thought of. As sufferers, we should definitely investigate the alternatives before considering surgery.
Read my Review of Cure for Tinnitus now and discover new ways to deal with this horrible affliction.