Tinnitus is an annoying symptom that is perceived as a persistent ringing, hum or whistle in the ears. Although they are often regarded as little discomfort, for many, tinnitus can be a highly unpleasant condition that seriously affects the quality of life.

“The nature and extent of tinnitus varies significantly among individuals, as they may range from intermittent sounds that are barely perceived to constant sounds that are obstructing the execution of even simple, daily activities,” Dr. Olga Papadopoulou Director of Otolaryngologist Metropolitan Hospital.

Types of tinnitus

“Tinnitus can be divided into two main categories, subjective and objective. In the case of subjective tinnitus, which is the most common type, the sounds are only perceived by the patient. They can be caused by problems abroad, average or inner ear, as well as by acoustic nerves or the brain that interprets acoustic signals as sounds. Objective tinnitus on the other hand are perceived by third parties. These are rarer and can be caused by vascular disorders, acoustic bone diseases in the middle ear or muscle spasms, ”he explains.

Where are the tinnitus?

There are many factors that can cause or aggravate tinnitus. Often the exact cause is not clear, but some of the most common causes include:

• Damage to the hairy cells of the inner ear, cells that release electrical signals that reach the brain through the acoustic nerve. When they are damaged, the signals become irregular, leading to tinnitus
• Presbyteria, since hearing loss due to advanced age is not excluded to be accompanied by tinnitus
• Exposure to loud noises, as prolonged exposure to high -intensity noises can cause permanent damage to hearing and consequently tinnitus
• Extensive accumulation of cell plug (wax) in the ear
• Abnormal operation of Eustachian trumpet
• Diseases affecting ears such as Meniere syndrome
• Various diseases related to the temporomandibular joint
• Diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, anemia, any allergies, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus
• Any injury to the head, ears or throat, which is a cause of either challenge or deterioration of tinnitus
• Taking certain ototoxic or other drugs (some antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants or non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs), which can either cause or aggravate tinnitus
• Note that alcohol consumption, smoking, caffeine, anxiety and fatigue can not cause, but increase tinnitus.

Management options for tinnitus

Effective treatment of tinnitus depends on the underlying cause. If tinnitus is the result of a condition, its treatment can reduce or eliminate tinnitus. However, in cases where the causes relate to screw damage, tinnitus can be more persistent. There are several ways of reducing and prevention of tinnitus, such as:

• Treatment of underlying problems such as infections or accumulation of plug cell
• Acoustic aids and cochlear implants in cases of extensive hearing loss
• Sound cover with special devices
• Tinnitus Repeat Treatment
• Anxiety management
• Intrabanese infusions
• Adoption of beneficial habits such as protecting the cardiovascular system through proper nutrition and exercise or reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption
• Administration of pharmaceutical preparations or nutritional supplements.

“In any case, tinnitus is a complex and extremely annoying symptom with a variety of causes. This symptom unfortunately has significant restrictions not only in everyday life but also in the psychological state of the sufferer. Listening to a permanent buzz in the ear we can easily imagine the irritation and discomfort it causes. In order for the impact of this situation on everyday life therefore, the early evaluation by a specialized otolaryngologist is considered necessary. Implementing a comprehensive approach can successfully tackle tinnitus and significantly improve the quality of life of the patients, ”concludes Dr. Papadopoulou.

*The Metropolitan Hospital It has a standard, fully equipped and organized otolaryngology clinic, with a well -trained scientific and nursing staff and state -of -the -art equipment that applies the appropriate therapeutic plan to stop the tinnitus to be an obstacle to the daily lives of sufferers.