Statistics suggest that tinnitus affects 10–15% of adults, with men and women experiencing it nearly equally frequently. The Pioneer’s Shikha Duggal discusses in this week’s health talk how crucial it is to begin consultation with an ENT specialist and stop the deterioration!
An annual campaign to increase awareness of Tinnitus, a disorder marked by the sensation of ringing or buzzing in the ears, takes place in February. Statistics show that tinnitus affects 10–15% of adults, with men and women experiencing it nearly equally frequently. Roughly 25% of patients report that the noise makes it difficult for them to go about their daily lives, and 3–5% report that their quality of life is noticeably worsened by tinnitus. An ear lesion, namely to the inner ear’s cochlea, is the most frequent cause of tinnitus. In this instance, the patient is subjected to continuous loud noise, frequently with high frequencies, which exacerbates emotional stress and silence. It may sound in the entire head or from one or both sides. The sound frequently shifts; for example, the ringing may become a squeak, the squeak may become a rustle, etc. This week’s health talk will center on how crucial it is to begin the consultation and stop the deterioration! Juvekar’s Nursing Home & Cochlear Implant’s Dr. Meneesh Juvekar (ENT) presents an all-inclusive guide to understanding, managing, and seeking relief from ringing in the ears! “It’s a common problem that affects 15% to 20% of people, and it’s more common in older adults,” he stated. “The disorder is usually associated with underlying causes, such as circulatory system problems, age-related hearing loss, or ear traumas. Although tinnitus has no known cure, there are a number of management techniques. Many people find that their symptoms improve when the underlying cause of their tinnitus is treated, and either way, tinnitus becomes less irritating.” We next discuss how “exact causes of tinnitus remain unclear, although it’s believed to involve changes in various parts of the brain and nervous system” in our exploration of the complexities of tinnitus: causes and risk factors.
“Alterations in sensory hair cells, pressure within the inner ear, emotional and cognitive factors, and modifications to the neurological circuits governing the connections between the brain and the ear are all potential causes. Growing older and being around loud noises — such as those made in the workplace by gunshots or explosions — as well as long-term exposure to loud music or powerful speakers are two factors that can increase the risk of developing tinnitus. In addition to tinnitus, some people have hearing loss, hyperacusis, or an increased sensitivity to sounds.”
Many medical disorders, such as Ménière’s disease, cardiovascular disease, hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, earwax accumulation, brain tumors, ear or sinus infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, having a foreign object in the ear, or palatal myoclonus — which is characterised by rhythmic contractions in the roof of the mouth — can cause tinnitus. The doctor continued, “The Tinnitus Association states that tinnitus has been linked to many drugs; however, it is often an uncommon side effect. The following is a list of frequently prescribed drugs and their classes that may result in tinnitus. A frequent description of tinnitus is a feeling of ringing in the ears even when there is no outside noise. But it can also seem like a variety of different phantom sounds in the ears, like clicking, hissing, buzzing, roaring, or humming. The majority of people who have tinnitus feel it subjectively, which means that only they are aware of the sound. One or both ears may be affected by tinnitus, which can cause sounds that range in pitch from a low rumble to a high-pitched shriek. Sometimes the noise is so loud that it obscures outside sounds or makes it difficult to concentrate. Both intermittent and continuous tinnitus are possible. Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare form of the condition when there is a regular whooshing or pulsating sound that is frequently synced with the person’s heartbeat.”
A University of Illinois study found that tinnitus, which is commonly described as a buzzing or ringing sound in the ears, can have a major impact on brain function. Even though the brain’s increased alertness could appear advantageous at first, long-term tinnitus might cause harmful alterations in particular brain networks. “The dorsal attention network, which processes inputs like touch and noise, and the default mode network, which controls activity during rest and relaxation periods, are two important brain networks that are impacted by tinnitus. The default mode network kicks in during relaxation to minimise mental weariness, while the dorsal attention network normally engages when something catches a person’s attention,” added the ENT expert.
People who have tinnitus, however, notice a disturbance in this process. The brain becomes hyper-focused on auditory inputs when ringing or buzzing noises are perceived repeatedly, which hinders relaxation and the brain’s ability to switch to the default mode network. As a result, people who experience chronic tinnitus frequently experience mental exhaustion because their brains are unable to relax. Hence, “This constant hypervigilance can have a number of negative consequences, including physical and mental tiredness, restlessness, anger, insomnia, and exhaustion, which can have a major negative influence on general health and quality of life. In addition to its auditory symptoms, tinnitus frequently causes elevated emotional distress, such as melancholy, worry, and annoyance. Persistently hearing disturbing noises might worsen already-existing emotional problems and increase feelings of loneliness and powerlessness. People who have tinnitus frequently experience sleep disturbances, which can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night. Cognitive function may also be impacted, so it can make it difficult to concentrate, stay focused, and be productive. Social connections can often be difficult, especially in noisy settings where background noise aggravates tinnitus symptoms.”
Customised intervention programs that may use a variety of techniques and are created together by patients and audiologists. Among them are using assistive listening devices, removing ear wax, taking care of circulatory problems, utilizing white noise generators or masking devices, including relaxation techniques, modifying prescription regimens, and making dietary and lifestyle adjustments! “The continuous presence of ringing ears adds to this cognitive load, diverting our attention and reducing our capacity to process the information effectively, making it hard to concentrate,” said Dr. Girija Ghate, Consultant, ENT, Manipal Hospital, continuing the health department. Additionally, it may obstruct cognitive function. The flow of information processing can be interfered with when our focus is split between the work at hand and the sound in our ears. The brain’s capacity for focused attention is weakened. “Even though tinnitus can impair concentration and memory, people learn a variety of coping techniques to lessen its effects. Tinnitus can cause cognitive difficulties, but they can be lessened by practicing relaxation techniques, using sound treatment, or getting support from medical professionals and having the underlying reason treated,” informed Dr. Girija. Conversely, according to Dr. Girish Anand M. S. Consultant of the ENT Surgery department at Aster CMI Hospital, “antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medications, and some chemotherapy drugs are among the medications that can cause tinnitus. It is crucial to discuss potential warnings and alternate therapies with your doctor if you are taking any of these drugs and you are experiencing tinnitus symptoms. To ease the symptoms, they can advise cutting back on the dosage or trying an alternative medicine.”
It is frequently linked to harm to the auditory system, which can alter the neuronal activity in the brain. This can lead to the classic tinnitus symptom of hearing sound even when there is no external sound source present. Furthermore, tinnitus has been connected to several neurologic disorders, including depression, anxiety, and migraines. Research is being done to create more potent treatments for tinnitus and to gain a better understanding of the neuronal mechanisms underlying this disorder.
“Alterations in sensory hair cells, pressure within the inner ear, emotional and cognitive factors, and modifications to the neurological circuits governing the connections between the brain and the ear are all potential causes. Growing older and being around loud noises — such as those made in the workplace by gunshots or explosions — as well as long-term exposure to loud music or powerful speakers are two factors that can increase the risk of developing tinnitus. In addition to tinnitus, some people have hearing loss, hyperacusis, or an increased sensitivity to sounds.”
Many medical disorders, such as Ménière’s disease, cardiovascular disease, hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, earwax accumulation, brain tumors, ear or sinus infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, having a foreign object in the ear, or palatal myoclonus — which is characterised by rhythmic contractions in the roof of the mouth — can cause tinnitus. The doctor continued, “The Tinnitus Association states that tinnitus has been linked to many drugs; however, it is often an uncommon side effect. The following is a list of frequently prescribed drugs and their classes that may result in tinnitus. A frequent description of tinnitus is a feeling of ringing in the ears even when there is no outside noise. But it can also seem like a variety of different phantom sounds in the ears, like clicking, hissing, buzzing, roaring, or humming. The majority of people who have tinnitus feel it subjectively, which means that only they are aware of the sound. One or both ears may be affected by tinnitus, which can cause sounds that range in pitch from a low rumble to a high-pitched shriek. Sometimes the noise is so loud that it obscures outside sounds or makes it difficult to concentrate. Both intermittent and continuous tinnitus are possible. Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare form of the condition when there is a regular whooshing or pulsating sound that is frequently synced with the person’s heartbeat.”
A University of Illinois study found that tinnitus, which is commonly described as a buzzing or ringing sound in the ears, can have a major impact on brain function. Even though the brain’s increased alertness could appear advantageous at first, long-term tinnitus might cause harmful alterations in particular brain networks. “The dorsal attention network, which processes inputs like touch and noise, and the default mode network, which controls activity during rest and relaxation periods, are two important brain networks that are impacted by tinnitus. The default mode network kicks in during relaxation to minimise mental weariness, while the dorsal attention network normally engages when something catches a person’s attention,” added the ENT expert.
People who have tinnitus, however, notice a disturbance in this process. The brain becomes hyper-focused on auditory inputs when ringing or buzzing noises are perceived repeatedly, which hinders relaxation and the brain’s ability to switch to the default mode network. As a result, people who experience chronic tinnitus frequently experience mental exhaustion because their brains are unable to relax. Hence, “This constant hypervigilance can have a number of negative consequences, including physical and mental tiredness, restlessness, anger, insomnia, and exhaustion, which can have a major negative influence on general health and quality of life. In addition to its auditory symptoms, tinnitus frequently causes elevated emotional distress, such as melancholy, worry, and annoyance. Persistently hearing disturbing noises might worsen already-existing emotional problems and increase feelings of loneliness and powerlessness. People who have tinnitus frequently experience sleep disturbances, which can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night. Cognitive function may also be impacted, so it can make it difficult to concentrate, stay focused, and be productive. Social connections can often be difficult, especially in noisy settings where background noise aggravates tinnitus symptoms.”
Customised intervention programs that may use a variety of techniques and are created together by patients and audiologists. Among them are using assistive listening devices, removing ear wax, taking care of circulatory problems, utilizing white noise generators or masking devices, including relaxation techniques, modifying prescription regimens, and making dietary and lifestyle adjustments! “The continuous presence of ringing ears adds to this cognitive load, diverting our attention and reducing our capacity to process the information effectively, making it hard to concentrate,” said Dr. Girija Ghate, Consultant, ENT, Manipal Hospital, continuing the health department. Additionally, it may obstruct cognitive function. The flow of information processing can be interfered with when our focus is split between the work at hand and the sound in our ears. The brain’s capacity for focused attention is weakened. “Even though tinnitus can impair concentration and memory, people learn a variety of coping techniques to lessen its effects. Tinnitus can cause cognitive difficulties, but they can be lessened by practicing relaxation techniques, using sound treatment, or getting support from medical professionals and having the underlying reason treated,” informed Dr. Girija. Conversely, according to Dr. Girish Anand M. S. Consultant of the ENT Surgery department at Aster CMI Hospital, “antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medications, and some chemotherapy drugs are among the medications that can cause tinnitus. It is crucial to discuss potential warnings and alternate therapies with your doctor if you are taking any of these drugs and you are experiencing tinnitus symptoms. To ease the symptoms, they can advise cutting back on the dosage or trying an alternative medicine.”
It is frequently linked to harm to the auditory system, which can alter the neuronal activity in the brain. This can lead to the classic tinnitus symptom of hearing sound even when there is no external sound source present. Furthermore, tinnitus has been connected to several neurologic disorders, including depression, anxiety, and migraines. Research is being done to create more potent treatments for tinnitus and to gain a better understanding of the neuronal mechanisms underlying this disorder.
