How to Find the Cause of Tinnitus

Think about triggers in the environment. Environmental factors are the effects of our surroundings on us. Long-term noise exposure is the most common cause of tinnitus. ^[1] Long-term exposure to loud, continuous noises such as amplified music, gunshots, airplanes and machinery, etc., damages the tiny hairs. The cochlea is responsible for sending impulses to the auditory nerve whenever sound waves are detected. When these hairs are bent or broken, they send impulses to the auditory nerve even though no sound waves are detected. The brain then interprets these electrical impulses into a sound we call tinnitus.

• Those most at risk for occupational-related tinnitus include carpenters, road workers, pilots, musicians, and park and garden builders. The likelihood of developing tinnitus is also increased in people who work with noisy equipment or who are regularly exposed to loud music.
• A single exposure to sudden, intense noise can also cause tinnitus. For example, tinnitus is one of the most common ailments among people who have served in the military and have heard bombs exploding.

Assess potential causes from lifestyle and health status. There are many different causes of tinnitus, including age, bad lifestyle habits, and hormonal changes. ^{[2] [3]}

• Tinnitus can develop as a result of the natural aging process. With age, the function of the cochlea deteriorates, making the exposure to noise in the environment more and more severe.
• Smoking or drinking alcohol and caffeine can trigger tinnitus. Plus, stress and fatigue if not handled properly can also build up and lead to tinnitus.
• There is no direct evidence to support this, but experience shows that changing hormone levels in women can cause tinnitus. Hormonal changes often occur during pregnancy, menopause, and when taking hormone replacement therapy. ^[4]

Think about whether you have an ear problem. A blocked ear canal can change the way sound travels to the sound-sensitive cells in the cochlea and cause tinnitus. ^[5] Congestion in the ear canal can be the result of earwax, ear infections, sinusitis, and mastoiditis (infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear). This condition changes the ability of sound to travel through the middle and inner ear, triggering tinnitus.

• Meniere’s syndrome can cause ringing in the ears or a muffled sound. This is a disorder of unknown cause that affects the inner ear, causing dizziness, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and a feeling of tightness in the ear. This condition usually occurs in only one ear and can trigger episodes over a long period of time or episodes over several days. ^[6]
• Otosclerosis is an inherited disorder caused by overgrowth of the bones in the middle ear, leading to hearing loss. This condition makes it difficult for sound to reach the inner ear. Caucasians and middle-aged women are most at risk of developing otosclerosis. ^[7]
• More rarely, tinnitus can be caused by a benign tumor on the auditory nerve, the nerve that transmits sound to the brain and interprets it. This tumor, called an acoustic neuroma, grows on the cranial nerve that connects the brain to the inner ear and causes tinnitus in one ear. These tumors are rarely malignant but can grow quite large, so it’s best to seek treatment while the tumor is small. ^[8]

Determine if you have a condition related to tinnitus. Circulatory system diseases such as high blood pressure, vascular malformations, diabetes, heart disease, anemia, atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease also affect the blood circulation to various parts of the body. body, including the oxygen supply to the cells in the middle and inner ear. A reduced blood and oxygen supply can damage these cells and increase your risk of developing tinnitus. ^[9]

• People with temporomandibular joint disorder have a higher risk of tinnitus. There are different theories as to why the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) affects tinnitus. The chewing muscles are located very close to the muscles in the middle ear and can affect hearing. There may be a direct relationship between the ligaments in the jaw and one of the bones in the middle ear. Or the nerve from the TMJ has some connection with a part of the brain involved with hearing. ^{[10] [11]}
• Head or neck injuries can also affect the inner ear or the nerves responsible for hearing or hearing function of the brain. These injuries usually cause tinnitus in only one ear. ^[12]
• Brain tumors can affect the part of the brain that interprets sound. These cases can cause tinnitus in one or both ears. ^[13]

Review your current medications. Medication is also another factor that can cause tinnitus. Certain medications can cause ear damage, also known as “ototoxicity.” If you are taking medication, read the leaflet again or ask your pharmacist if there are any side effects that can cause tinnitus. Often your doctor can prescribe different medications from the same class to treat the condition without causing tinnitus. ^{[14] [15]}

• There are over 200 different medications that can cause tinnitus as a side effect, including aspirin, some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, tranquilizers, antidepressants, and antimalarials. Cancer drugs and diuretics are also on the list of drugs that cause tinnitus.
• Antibiotics commonly associated with tinnitus include vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, gentamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and tobramycin.
• Usually, the higher the dose used, the more severe the symptoms. In most cases, symptoms disappear when the drug is stopped.

You also need to know that tinnitus can also happen without a cause. Even without a medical condition or trigger, some people experience unexplained tinnitus. Most of these cases are not very serious. However, if left untreated, tinnitus can cause fatigue, depression, anxiety and memory loss. ^[16]