Tinnitus Frequently Asked Questions

What is tinnitus? Tinnitus is commonly described as ringing ears but can also encompass a range of other head noises that can be equally irritating. How common is tinnitus? It is estimated that approximately one out of every five people suffer some degree of tinnitus in either one or both ears. Are there different types of tinnitus? Yes, there are two types of tinnitus. The names of these two types are subjective and objective. What is objective tinnitus? Objective tinnitus is rarer than the subjective variety. In these cases, the sound that the sufferer is suffering is actually caused by audible noises that are created by muscle contractions, vascular movement, or other inner ear abnormalities. With objective tinnitus, the examiner is able to hear the same sounds through a stethoscope, that are responsible for the tinnitus. To learn more about objective and subjective tinnitus you can visit http://www.stoptinnitusinfo.com. What is subjective tinnitus? Much less is understood about this form of tinnitus as it can occur in a range of places within the auditory system. In fact the condition can be due to abnormalities anywhere between the ear canal, through to the brain. Sufferers often describe this form of tinnitus a sounding like: -metallic ringing -ringing -buzzing -blowing -roaring -clanging -popping or, -non-rhythmic beating What causes tinnitus? Exposure to noise is a major factor in about one quarter of all tinnitus cases. Of the remaining cases, the majority have not known cause. There is however a growing group of sufferers who claim that food is a major contributing factor. The food that tend to be blamed for having a causal relationship are: -red wine -grain based spirits -cheese -chocolate -soy products -very ripe bananas -avocados and -citrus fruits Other causes of tinnitus include: -Wax and dirt build up in the ear canal -Ear infection -High blood cholesterol -Stress -Hypertension -Head injuries -Some medications Are there treatments available for tinnitus? Yes. There are a range of treatments available for tinnitus, beginning with diet, and herbal remedies and progressing right through to pharmaceutical drugs and even surgery. Across the board, treatments have a propensity to target the associated depression which may result from tinnitus rather than treating core issue of perceived noise. To get more information about what treatments are available you can visit http://www.stoptinnitusinfo.com