Tinnitus: When the Ears Ring

Sidebar: Does Ginkgo Biloba Help Tinnitus?

Investigators studied the question of whether Gingko biloba is effective for tinnitus, as claimed by many Websites, health food vendors, and alternative practitioners. Their results were published in the highly respected Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.^[6] An examination of 12 trials of the herb for tinnitus in patients ages 18 and over, and those with cerebral insufficiency associated with tinnitus, found insufficient evidence to demonstrate efficacy for either group. Thus, pharmacists should not recommend its use at this time.

Sidebar: Ringing in the Ears  –  Tinnitus

A common problem as people age, tinnitus often has no cure. Some medications may be effective, and devices provide a range of sounds to mask the tinnitus. Avoid alcohol, smoking, and exposure to loud noises to prevent worsening of this condition. Check any case of tinnitus with a physician.

Many people notice annoying noises in their ears, especially as they grow older. The problem may be caused by a common condition known as tinnitus, which affects people mostly in the age range of 40 to 70 years. About 37 million to 40 million Americans have tinnitus. A majority are not bothered by it when surrounded by background noise; however, some are incapacitated so severely that they cannot get sufficient sleep and find it difficult to talk with others or to work. Before you visit a physician, there are a few things that it might be helpful to understand.

What If I Hear Voices or Music?

If you hear voices speaking to you or music, the cause may be an auditory hallucination, which is similar to a visual hallucination, except you are fooled into thinking that the noises are real. Hearing voices or music could be a medical emergency, so you should see a physician immediately. The physician will know the next step to take to have the problem diagnosed.

What Kind of Sounds Does Tinnitus Make?

The sounds of tinnitus are most often described as "ringing." However, this is not usually the sound of a bell ringing but is most often a steady tone present in one or both ears. Some patients say the tone is coming from the head instead of the ears or from outside of the head. Tinnitus can sound like hissing, sizzling, buzzing, roaring, whistling, chirping, clicking, beating, humming, banging, blowing, clanging, whooshing, rumbling, or shrieking noises, as well as sounds of rushing water, radio static, breaking glass, bells ringing, owls hooting, or chainsaws running.

What Causes Tinnitus?

There are many causes of tinnitus, but some of the most common are hearing loss, exposure to loud noise, medications, or other health problems (allergies, tumors, problems with the heart, blood vessels, head, neck, or kidneys).

What Should I Do First?

Tinnitus has many possible causes, and some are so serious that they are considered medical emergencies (such as tumors). For this reason, a physician or an audiologist (hearing specialist) should check any case of tinnitus as a first step.

Can Tinnitus Be Treated?

There is no cure for most cases of tinnitus. However, several interventions may help. If the tinnitus sufferer also has hearing loss, hearing aids can help in making it easier to hear others. Hearing others more clearly makes the tinnitus less troublesome.

Tinnitus masking has become increasingly popular. Tinnitus maskers are special devices that create sounds to help you ignore the tinnitus. Some of the maskers work so well that the tinnitus is barely noticeable, even when the masker is not worn. A less expensive type of masking can be obtained when you turn the television or radio on to a channel that only makes static. Even an attic fan or humidifier can produce a constant masking noise to help the tinnitus.

You should also avoid smoking, alcohol, and loud noises. All can worsen tinnitus. If your daily activities or job require exposure to loud noise (e.g., construction, shooting), wear hearing protectors to prevent the tinnitus from worsening. For further information about tinnitus and its causes, consult your pharmacist.