What Causes Chronic Tinnitus?

Aug 24, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Xu Gang

Introduction

1. Neurasthenia: Tinnitus is also closely associated with social environment and psychological factors. Individuals experiencing depression or anxiety may develop tinnitus. Patients with neurasthenia frequently report tinnitus, which typically presents with variable pitch and is often bilateral, accompanied by symptoms such as headache, dizziness, insomnia, and vivid dreams. Additionally, in cases of physical debility, tinnitus may result from reduced vascular tone and inadequate local blood supply.

People often say, “The ears are the pathway to the heart.” Our ears enable us to perceive countless sounds—demonstrating just how vital they are. So, what causes chronic tinnitus?

Causes of Chronic Tinnitus

Neurasthenia: Tinnitus is closely associated with social environment and psychological factors. Individuals experiencing depression or anxiety may develop tinnitus. Those suffering from neurasthenia frequently report tinnitus, which varies in pitch and commonly affects both ears. It is often accompanied by headache, dizziness, insomnia, and vivid dreams. Additionally, when the body is weakened, tinnitus may arise due to insufficient vascular tone and inadequate local blood supply. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is considered a manifestation of kidney deficiency.

2. Noise exposure: Short-term intense noise or prolonged/repeated exposure to noise (e.g., occupational noise, rock music, disco music, or loud stereo headphones) can cause hearing loss accompanied by tinnitus and vertigo; severe cases may even lead to auditory hallucinations and neurasthenia.

3. Drug-induced ototoxicity: Certain antibiotics exert toxic effects on the auditory and vestibular nerves. Tinnitus—often high-pitched and bilateral—may appear early in the course of treatment. If the drug is not discontinued promptly, rapid progression to irreversible deafness may occur.

4. Cervical disorders: Neck swelling, pain, or other cervical conditions that compress the carotid artery may induce tinnitus on the affected side. This type of tinnitus is typically continuous, low-pitched, and its intensity may vary with changes in head or body position.

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What Causes Long-Term Tinnitus?

The patient’s chronic tinnitus is influenced by multiple factors, including environmental exposures, lifestyle habits, and uncontrolled sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Specifically: 1. Environmental factors: Prolonged exposure to noisy environments—whether at work, home, or during study—can damage the inner ear and trigger tinnitus. 2. Lifestyle habits: Some patients develop tinnitus due to prolonged and excessive use of telephones or headphones.

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What Causes Persistent Tinnitus?

Prolonged tinnitus may result from otitis media or a foreign body in the ear, or it may be caused by disorders of the auditory system or systemic diseases. Insufficient rest or frequent late-night activity can also trigger tinnitus. Patients with severe tinnitus should promptly visit the Department of Otolaryngology at a hospital for relevant examinations to identify the precise underlying cause, followed by appropriate pharmacological treatment and careful attention to ear hygiene.

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What Causes Chronic Tinnitus?

If tinnitus persists for a prolonged period, it may originate from the central nervous system—specifically, the brain—or may be generated centrally within the brain itself. At this stage, proper self-care is essential: become attuned to your body’s signals, seek medical attention promptly, and undergo evaluation by an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) to identify the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment. Vasodilators may be prescribed; moreover, patients with chronic tinnitus may benefit from combination therapy using multiple vasodilators.