When external sound waves reach the small, sensitive hairs that are present in the inner parts of the human ear, they produce signals that are electronic in nature. These signals, thus generated, travel through the auditory nerves and finally reach the brain. These signals are received, and then interpreted as sound, by the brain. However, when the delicate hairs on ones inner ear somehow get damaged or are not functioning properly, confusing and wrong signals are sent up to the brain. While processing these signals, the brain produces bizarre, disturbing noises, which in turn, travel back to the ear. These sounds can vary in their nature, and include whooshing, whistling or ringing sounds, among others. As a result, a person gets to hear these noises, even when no apparent source of such sounds is present near him/her. Tinnitus is the name given to the disease which causes a person to hear such distressing sounds.

There are certain triggers of tinnitus that are often mistaken as the actual causes. An open mind is required while analyzing an extremely problematic disease, like tinnitus, particularly since it can happen from several causes. As an example, let us consider sinus disorders. Such problems are not among the chief underlying factors of tinnitus. Rather, it is only a trigger of the disease. Among the actual, and most important causes of tinnitus is an elevated blood pressure, and this happens due to a wrong lifestyle. These problems can be treated only through the holistic approach.

Cause of Tinnitus: A Closer Look At Some Causal Factors

Acute depression and excessive stress: If hearing tests do not show any abnormality, and the ear appears to be properly functioning otherwise, stress-related anxiety may be the problem affecting an individual. A healthy way of life, coupled with holistic approaches to treatment, can do away with these problems.

Acoustic Neuroma problems: Acoustic Neuroma can bring about tinnitus in the form of a tumor and it generally remains benign. The cranial nerve, which extends from the brain to the inner parts of the ear, and is in charge of all auditory and related controlling functions, is the place where the tumor might develop. Acoustic Neuroma usually results in tinnitus in one of the ears, and the problem is also known as Vestibular Schwannoma.

Manieres Disease in the inner ear: When this ailment affects the ear, tinnitus can be caused. This medical condition is generally brought about by the pressures of a fluid that is present in the inner ear.

Injuries in the head or the neck: These injuries often affect the way in which the human brain works, and can also damage the nerves in these. Such damages can easily affect the ear too. As a result, a person might develop tinnitus.

Advancement in age : As a person goes beyond 60 years of age, (s)he usually becomes progressively more and more senile. This phenomenon is also known as Presbycusis, and can rob the affected person partially, or even totally, of his/her hearing abilities.

Having to hear sounds at high volumes: This is also a probable cause. If a person has to continuously hear noises at extremely high pitches, a constant ringing noise seems to be audible to him/her, even when there exists no such source. For example, this is common in people who are employed in stamping mills or forging jobs. Tinnitus problems can also result from the shot guns that are rather heavy, and have to be placed on the shoulder for firing. Also, if individuals are constantly exposed to the loud beats of music at night clubs, they are prone to tinnitus attacks.

Amount of ear wax : There is a maximum limit till which ear wax can accumulate within the ears. When the deposits of ear wax go beyond this limit, tinnitus is a likely outcome.

Narrower blood vessels : Also termed clinically as Atherosclerosis, this change in the shape of the blood vessels in the middle or the inner parts of the ear can be brought about by excess accumulation of cholesterol. This can, in many cases, result in tinnitus. When affected in this manner, blood vessels cannot account for the sounds. As a result, noise impulses like hissing and whooshing can be heard, along with other pulsating sounds.

Elevated levels of blood pressure : A high blood pressure level can also cause tinnitus, in much the same way as discussed in the previous point. Arteries, when they have excess amounts of cholesterol accumulated in them, cannot supply blood to the neck and the head ” the main cause of the problem. However, this problem can be eliminated at an early stage, with the holistic treatment approach.

Neck or head tumors: Such tumors put a very high degree of pressure on the blood vessels of the head and the neck. Also known as vascular neoplasm, these tumors can also result in tinnitus.

Improper formation of Arteriovenous connections : Many people suffer from tinnitus problems that originate from an incorrect formation of the connections that bind the arteries and the veins. When, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) occurs, tinnitus generally affects one of the ears of the patient.

Cause of Tinnitus: Certain Medicines Also Play A Part

Medicines of a certain variety can, in fact, give birth to tinnitus problems. The situation can be considerably worsened by consuming some types of drugs as well.

Let is now look into some of the types of drugs that can probably be blamed for tinnitus problems:

Various types of antibiotics, including erythromycin, chloramphenicol, bleomycin, tetracycline or vancomycin.

Cancer-treating drugs (e.g. Vincristine and Mechlorethamine).

Diuretic drugs, namely, ethacrynic acid, bumetanide or furosemide.

Formulations for treatment of malaria and certain similar ailments (e.g. Quinine drugs).

If a person consumes large quantities of Aspirin, over a long time, (s)he is also likely to hear ringing noises in his/her ear.

Tinnitus is often termed as a multilateral disease since it can be caused by a combination of several factors, as has been discussed above. The key to finding an effective solution is in proper identification and elimination of these causes. Conventional methods of treatment generally fail to provide any long-standing relief. This is due to the fact that, such treatments do not make an attempt to locate the chief causes of tinnitus, and treat only the symptoms of the problem. On the other hand, holistic treatments locate the main problem-creating factors and then remove them. The entire body is taken as a single unit in this treatment approach. Medicines prescribed by holistic approaches include herb-based products, and certain changes in the patients lifestyles are also suggested. Over time, these holistic methods have been widely effective for treating tinnitus.

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