What causes tinnitus?
Sep 22, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
In general, tinnitus may be caused by factors such as aging, excessive use of headphones, exposure to loud environmental noise, otitis media, or Ménière's disease. It is advisable to avoid frequent ear picking and the use of sharp objects to clean the ears, in order to prevent injury to the ear canal or eardrum. Prompt medical consultation is recommended to identify the underlying cause, followed by symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
Generally, tinnitus may be caused by factors such as aging, excessive use of headphones, exposure to loud environmental noise, otitis media, or Ménière's disease. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Aging
With advancing age, the structures of the ear gradually degenerate and the number of inner ear hair cells decreases, which may lead to tinnitus. Wearing hearing aids or using sound therapy in daily life can help mask tinnitus sounds and improve quality of life.
2. Excessive headphone use
Listening to music or making calls at high volumes for prolonged periods places the ears under continuous strain, potentially worsening tinnitus symptoms. It is important to avoid prolonged high-volume use of headphones to prevent damage to the ear canal.
3. Excessive environmental noise
Long-term exposure to noisy environments may trigger tinnitus. Efforts should be made to minimize time spent in noisy settings, and noise-canceling earplugs or earmuffs can be worn to reduce auditory damage from noise exposure.
4. Otitis media
Otitis media is primarily caused by bacterial or viral infections. Inflammation in the middle ear can interfere with the normal vibration of the eardrum and ossicles, leading to tinnitus. It is often accompanied by symptoms such as ear pain, hearing loss, and fever. Treatment may include medications such as amoxicillin capsules, ibuprofen tablets, or cephalexin capsules, as prescribed by a doctor.
5. Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease is usually associated with genetic factors, viral infections, or dysfunction of the endolymphatic sac. The condition disrupts fluid regulation in the inner ear, affecting the function of inner ear hair cells and causing tinnitus. Symptoms may also include vertigo and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Medications such as hydrochlorothiazide tablets, compound paracetamol and phenyltoloxamine tablets, or prednisone acetate tablets may be used under medical supervision.
In daily life, frequent ear picking and the use of sharp objects to clean the ears should be avoided to prevent injury to the ear canal or eardrum.
