8 Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition characterized by the perception of sound without an external source. While the exact causes of tinnitus remains unknown, several known factors can contribute to its development.

causes of tinnitus that could help you understand how you started having symptoms.

1. Exposure to Loud Noise: Loud noise exposure is one of the most frequent causes of tinnitus. This could include exposure to loud music, machinery, or explosions. Loud noise damages the inner ear hair cells responsible for sending sound signals to the brain; this damage may lead to the perception of sound even when there is no external source present.
2. Age-Related Hearing Loss: As people grow older, they may experience an innate decline in hearing due to genetics, environmental exposure, and lifestyle choices. Age-related hearing loss can alter the auditory system and lead to tinnitus symptoms.
3. Earwax Blockage: Earwax is a naturally occurring substance that protects the ear canal, but if it builds up or gets impacted, it can create an obstruction which may impair hearing and lead to tinnitus.
4. Ear infections: Ear infections can cause inflammation and damage to the ear, leading to tinnitus. Likewise, they may result in a build-up of fluid within the middle ear which could impair hearing and contribute to tinnitus symptoms.
5. Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, diuretics, chemotherapy drugs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may cause tinnitus as a side effect.
6. Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can exacerbate tinnitus. These may include high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and Meniere’s disease – an inner ear disorder that impacts hearing and balance – to name a few.
7. Head and Neck Injuries: Head and neck injuries can damage the auditory system, potentially leading to tinnitus. This includes concussions, whiplash injuries, as well as other forms of trauma.
8. Stress and Anxiety: While stress and anxiety do not directly cause tinnitus, they can make their symptoms worse. This may be due to changes in how the brain processes sound as well as the physiological effects of stress on the body.

As you can see, tinnitus can be caused by a variety of factors. The severity of the condition can be increased by any combination of the above causes, or just one. The exact cause may not always be known with certainty in some cases, but understanding what contributes to its development helps guide treatment and management strategies.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.