Understanding Tinnitus: Causes, Assessment, and Management

👂Tinnitus refers to a persistent sound in the ears, not present in the surrounding environment, and can be a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming noise.

🤔Primary tinnitus has no identifiable cause and often occurs with sensory neural hearing loss.

🔍Secondary tinnitus has an identifiable cause, such as impacted earwax, ear infections, Meniere's disease, noise exposure, medications, or systemic conditions.

👂⚖️Audiometry can be used to assess hearing loss in patients with tinnitus and aid in identifying the underlying cause.

🚩Red flags for a serious underlying cause of tinnitus include unilateral tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus, hyperacusis, associated unilateral hearing loss, sudden onset hearing loss, vertigo or dizziness, headaches or visual symptoms, neurological symptoms or signs, and suicidal ideation.

What is tinnitus?

—Tinnitus is a persistent sound that is heard in the ears but is not present in the surrounding environment. It can be described as a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming noise.

What causes tinnitus?

—Tinnitus can be caused by sensory neural hearing loss, impacted earwax, ear infections, Meniere's disease, noise exposure, medications, acoustic neuromas, multiple sclerosis, trauma, and systemic conditions.

How is tinnitus assessed?

—Assessment of tinnitus involves taking a history and performing an examination to determine the pattern, severity, and associated symptoms. Audiometry and other investigations may be performed to aid in identifying the underlying cause.

What are the red flags for a serious underlying cause of tinnitus?

—Red flags for a serious underlying cause of tinnitus include unilateral tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus, hyperacusis, associated unilateral hearing loss, sudden onset hearing loss, vertigo or dizziness, headaches or visual symptoms, neurological symptoms or signs, and suicidal ideation.

How is tinnitus managed?

—Management options for tinnitus include addressing underlying causes, using hearing aids, sound therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

00:00Tinnitus is a persistent sound heard in the ears, not present in the surrounding environment, and can be a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming noise.

03:12Primary tinnitus has no identifiable cause and often occurs with sensory neural hearing loss.

05:46Secondary tinnitus has an identifiable cause, such as impacted earwax, ear infections, Meniere's disease, noise exposure, medications, or systemic conditions.

06:28Red flags for a serious underlying cause of tinnitus include unilateral tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus, hyperacusis, associated unilateral hearing loss, sudden onset hearing loss, vertigo or dizziness, headaches or visual symptoms, neurological symptoms or signs, and suicidal ideation.