Content
Ringing in the ear, also known as tinnitus, is an uncomfortable sound perception that can arise in the form of hisses, whistles, cicada, waterfall, clicks or crackles, which can be light, heard only during silence, or be intense enough to persist throughout the day.
Tinnitus can happen in all people, however it is more frequent over the years, being common in the elderly, and it is caused mainly by injuries inside the ear, due to situations like hearing noise or loud music, infections of the ear. ear, head trauma, drug poisoning or aging, for example.
Depending on the cause, tinnitus is curable, however there is no medication to make tinnitus disappear and, therefore, a treatment involving the use of hearing aids, sound therapies, improvements in sleep, nutrition and relaxation techniques is recommended, for example, as alternatives to improve symptoms, and treatment should be recommended by an otolaryngologist.
Causes of ringing in the ear
The main causes that lead to the appearance of tinnitus in the ear are related to hearing loss, both due to the deterioration of the sensory cells of the ear, as well as conditions that alter the conduction of sound, and can be caused by:
- Aging;
- Exposure to intense noise;
- Listening to loud music often, especially with headphones;
- Ear wax plug;
- Use of toxic drugs for the ear, such as AAS, anti-inflammatories, chemotherapy, antibiotics and diuretics, for example;
- Inflammation in the ear, as in labyrinthitis, and in these cases it is common to have associated dizziness;
- Tumors in the brain or ear;
- Stroke;
- Metabolism disorders, such as changes in blood glucose, cholesterol or high blood pressure;
- Hormonal changes, such as elevation of thyroid hormones;
- Changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ);
- Psychogenic causes, such as anxiety and depression.
In addition, ringing in the ear can also be caused by changes in the structures around the ears, which include situations such as spasms in the muscles of the ear or the pulse of blood vessels in the region, for example.
How to identify
To identify the cause of the ringing in the ear, the otorhinolaryngologist will evaluate the symptoms presented, such as the type of tinnitus, when it appears, how long it lasts and the associated symptoms, which can include dizziness, imbalance or palpitations, for example.
Then, the doctor should make an internal observation of the ears, jaw and blood vessels in the region. In addition, it may be necessary to perform tests, such as audiometry, or imaging tests, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, which may more accurately identify changes in the brain or in the structure of the ears.
How the treatment is done
To treat ringing in the ear it is necessary to know the cause of the tinnitus. Sometimes, the treatment is simple, including the removal of wax by the doctor, the use of antibiotics to treat the infection or surgery to correct defects in the ear, for example.
However, in some cases, treatment is time-consuming and more complicated, and you may need a set of therapies that can help relieve symptoms or reduce the perception of tinnitus. Some of the options include:
- Wear hearing aids to treat hearing loss;
- Sound therapy, with the emission of white noises through specific devices, which can help reduce the perception of tinnitus;
- Use of anxiolytics or antidepressants to reduce anxiety;
- Use of vasodilator remedies, such as betahistine and pentoxifylline, for example, which can help to improve blood circulation in the ear and decrease tinnitus;
- Treating diseases that may be triggering the symptoms, such as high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure;
- Favor quality sleep;
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid consumption of triggering substances, such as caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and artificial sweeteners, such as aspartate, for example.
In addition, alternative therapies such as acupuncture, music therapy or relaxation techniques can be helpful in reducing the sensation of tinnitus. See more details of the treatment for ringing in the ear.