Tinnitus is evident when some sort of buzzing sound is detected in the ear without any sound stimulus. This sound can be located in one or both ears, occur with a continuous rhythm or with breaks, and have a mild form, that is, it is noticeable in a quiet environment, or more intense where it is perceived even in an environment with intense noises. Tinnitus diagnosis and treatment is necessary, so that the annoying symptoms and also the pathology behind them subside.
Types of tinnitus: Subjective
Tinnitus can be subjective or objective. Subjective tinnitus occurs when there is an absence of sound stimuli in the environment. They are usually caused by hearing loss or damage to the auditory nerve, and are related either to otological diseases or to pathologies that do not involve ear diseases. Otological conditions that cause subjective tinnitus include sudden hearing loss, otitis, perforated eardrum, eustachian tube dysfunctions, otosclerosis, ear tumors, Meniere’s disease, or trauma to the ears or head.
Diseases that cause subjective tinnitus, which are not related to any otological disease, include multiple sclerosis, the existence of tumors inside the skull, diabetes, thyroid diseases, anemia but also vitamin deficiency, administration of certain medications such as anti-inflammatories, antibiotics or aspirin, but also anxiety or depression.
Types of tinnitus: Objective
Objective tinnitus is caused by existing sounds and is characterized by rhythmicity. They are related to middle ear muscle spasms or vibrations that usually come from cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart valve disease, heart failure and hypertension. Objective tinnitus can also be caused by diseases of the brain, especially if an aneurysm or vascular tumor is found in the area of the neck and brain (paraganglioma).
Tinnitus diagnosis and treatment: Process
Tinnitus diagnosis and treatment is important to be carried out by a specialist otolaryngologist, in order to achieve an effective reduction of the symptoms. The process of tinnitus diagnosis that ENT Surgeon in Athens Dr. Olga Papadopoulou performs includes obtaining a careful and detailed history of the patient in order to determine the disease that caused it. Then, a clinical examination and otoscopy is carried out, in order to detect any otological diseases.
A complete audiological evaluation follows, where tone and speech audiometry play an important role, as well as an electronystagmogram, if the patient is experiencing vertigo at the same time. Additional imaging tests such as a CT scan may then be performed to look for chronic otitis or injuries to the skull and neck. At the same time, an MRI may be needed to investigate conditions such as brain tumors or multiple sclerosis.
Diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus: Treatment plan formation
In the diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus, after the pathological factor that caused them is detected, the appropriate treatment approach follows. The effective treatment of tinnitus aims to treat both the buzzing and the disease that caused it. The most common method of tinnitus treatment in patients with hearing loss is the placement of hearing aids, which amplify external sounds by reducing the sound of the tinnitus. At the same time, sound masking is recommended through external sounds that cover the tinnitus and make it less noticeable and annoying. Sound masking can be done by listening to sounds through television or headphones, but also through special devices that produce a sound of greater intensity than tinnitus. These devices can be integrated into a hearing aid or placed independently.
In the case of otosclerosis or cardiovascular conditions that require surgical treatment, the performance of surgery in order to cure the underlying condition can effectively treat tinnitus. If the tinnitus is caused due to taking a medication, stopping the medication may make it subside. If the cause of the tinnitus is depression, starting an antidepressant can provide significant improvement. In the case of stress, measures such as taking anxiolytics, reducing caffeine consumption, and consuming relaxing drinks and herbs significantly help to reduce tinnitus.