由 home-healthhaven 
Tinnitus affects millions of Americans and refers to an abnormal condition affecting the auditory system. Though it’s not a disease, it is recognized as a health problem by medical professionals. About 20% of people experience tinnitus at some point in their lives.
Typically, tinnitus presents as a ringing in the ears, but it can also include crackling noises and small pops. Identifying the exact causes can often be tricky, as there are many.
**Causes and Symptoms**
Tinnitus comes in two types: objective and subjective. Objective tinnitus might be caused by slight muscle spasms near the ear or abnormal blood flow, leading to a beating sensation in the outer and middle ear.
Subjective tinnitus is more often linked to hearing loss. Long-term exposure to loud noises or specific frequencies can cause pain or ringing in the ears. Some pain relief medications, like aspirin, can also trigger subjective tinnitus. A buildup of earwax near the eardrum or the presence of lead and other contaminants in the body can lead to noise or ringing sensations.
Common symptoms of both types include slight pain around the eardrum, faint ringing, hearing difficulties, and a sensation of pressure in the outer ear.
**Diagnosing the Condition**
Years of clinical research have shown that the sounds perceived due to tinnitus are closely related to the patient’s ability to hear external noises. Patients with tinnitus might be asked to listen to controlled sounds of known volumes. The perceived volume of their tinnitus will never be louder than these external sounds.
If a patient hears an external sound that is louder than their tinnitus, they will no longer perceive the ringing or pulsations, helping doctors assess the degree of the condition. In subjective tinnitus cases, this method can also gauge inner ear hair cell damage, responsible for sending sound information to the brain.
**Treatment Options for Tinnitus**
There is no straightforward cure for tinnitus, and its varied causes make treatment challenging. Objective tinnitus treatments include removing earwax or placing a Teflon shield around the inner ear’s cochlea.
For subjective tinnitus, treatment may involve medications, special diets, ultrasonic stimulation, or hearing aids. In some rare cases, surgery to repair parts of the cochlea or clear blockages in the circulatory system may be necessary.
Overall, managing tinnitus requires a tailored approach based on the individual’s specific symptoms and underlying causes.