Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, swishing, clicking, or other type of noise that seems to originate in the ear. Tinnitus is not an illness itself but a symptom of other conditions, such as:
- Hearing Loss
- Ear Infection
- Ear Wax
- Loud Noise Exposure
- Ear Trauma
- Meniere’s Disease
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Certain Medications
The main symptom of tinnitus is hearing sound in your ears not due to an external source that no one around you can hear. The noise is often described as ringing, buzzing, clicking, or rushing. Hearing loss and dizziness may occur along with the tinnitus. Because tinnitus is due to other health conditions that may require medical treatment, it should be evaluated by a doctor, especially if the tinnitus is only on one side, is sudden, or is associated with hearing loss.
Although the majority of cases of tinnitus are not caused by any acute medical problems, certain symptoms and signs need to be evaluated to determine whether or not a more serious medical condition is causing the symptoms.
The best way to prevent some cases of tinnitus is to avoid damage to your hearing, such as loud noise exposure. For many other causes there may be no way to prevent the accompanying tinnitus symptoms. Tinnitus may disappear on its own, depending on the cause. Hearing aids can be especially helpful if you have hearing problems as well as tinnitus
