Health
Common Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing, buzzing, or clicking noise that has no external source—other people cannot hear it. If it is very bothersome, some individuals choose to get hearing aids or cochlear implants to improve symptoms. There are many possible causes for tinnitus, and some individuals are more at risk than others; for example, those who work in loud environments and don’t use hearing protection, older individuals that are losing hearing function, and those who smoke are all more likely to develop tinnitus. Here are the most common causes of tinnitus: 1. Hearing loss As mentioned, elderly individuals are more at risk for developing tinnitus as they lose their hearing functions. Hearing loss occurs naturally as you age—there are tiny hairs in your cochlear that receive sound waves and then trigger electrical signals to your brain to interpret sound, but as you age or are exposed to noise, these hairs become bent or broken. Damaged hairs can ‘leak’ random electrical signals to your brain, which is what causes tinnitus. 2. Head or neck injuries Injuries or trauma to the head or neck can impact and harm your cochlear, brain function linked to hearing, or hearing nerves. Any damage to these areas can result in tinnitus, and with this kind of cause, it typically only affects one ear.
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