TINNITUS

BY: CRYSTAL PACHECO

What Is Tinnitus

0Tinnitus is noise or ringing in the ears.0 tinnitus affects about 1 in 5 people. 0Tinnitus isn't a condition itself — it's a symptom such

as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder.

Symptoms

Tinnitus involves the annoying sensation of hearing sound when no external sound is present. Tinnitus symptoms include these types of phantom noises in your ears: 0Ringing0Buzzing0Roaring0Clicking0Whistling0Hissing

Causes

0 A number of health conditions can cause or worsen tinnitus. In many cases, an exact cause is never found

0 A common cause of tinnitus is inner ear cell damage. Tiny, delicate hairs in your inner ear move in relation to the pressure of sound waves. This triggers ear cells to release an electrical signal through a nerve from your ear (auditory nerve) to your brain. Your brain interprets these signals as sound.

Common causes of tinnitus In many people, tinnitus is caused by one of these conditions: 0 Age-related hearing loss. 0 Exposure to loud noise. 0 Earwax blockage..0 Ear bone changes.

Treatment

To treat your tinnitus, your doctor will first try to identify any underlying, treatable condition that may be associated with your symptoms. If tinnitus is due to a health condition, your doctor may be able to take steps that could reduce the noise. Examples include: 0Earwax removal. 0Treating a blood vessel condition. 0Changing your medication.

ALWAYS CLEAN YOUR EARS

Risk Factors

Anyone can get tinnitus, but you might be at increased risk if: 0 You've been exposed to loud noise without ear protection,

especially on an ongoing basis.0 You're over age 65.0 You have age-related hearing loss.0 You're a man.0 You're Caucasian.0 You have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Tinnitus is

especially aggravated by loud noises in people with PTSD