subject: What Is That Ringing 50 Million Americans Hear? [print this page] A ringing or roaring in the ears is called Tinnitus. People who suffer from tinnitus can experience a wide range of sounds, from a constant pitch to a ringing, rushing, roaring noise that seems to come and go with the pulse. Chirping, whirring, and crashing sounds have also been reported among those who suffer from tinnitus most often.
Tinnitus is very common: over 50 million Americans experience tinnitus at some point in their lives. Most tinnitus will resolve on its own, given time, and most tinnitus is not severe enough to interfere with daily life. Only 12 million Americans ever seek professional treatment for their tinnitus symptoms. Of those who seek treatment, a large percentage of these patients report tinnitus so severe that it interferes with daily life, with sleep, and with relationships with family members.
Tinnitus can be classified two different ways: one is called pulsatile tinnitus, and the other, Non-Pulsatile Tinnitus. Pulsatile tinnitus typically involves the kind of ringing that comes and goes, that changes intensity and pitch, and that is not necessarily a constant presence. This type of tinnitus is thought to be caused by muscle tension in the head or neck or circulatory issues in the face or neck.
Non-pulsatile tinnitus involves a much more constant sound, and is thought to be caused by nerve damage within the brain or the ear.
Tinnitus can be caused by many things, most of which are not severe or life-threatening. Most often, tinnitus is caused by hearing loss caused by aging, although any kind of hearing loss can cause tinnitus. It can also be caused by a blockage in the ear canal or by a significant buildup of earwax. People who take large doses of antibiotics or pain medicine can be at risk for developing tinnitus, as are those who ingest large amounts of alcohol, caffeine, or illegal drugs.
Tinnitus is a disorder that continues to be researched today, and researchers are beginning to discover that chronic tinnitus may be more of a brain disease than an ear disorder. No cures have been found for tinnitus, although there are several conventional and alternative treatment methods that are employed. These treatments may involve the use of noise-cancelling technology or the use of common medications to ease the ringing sensations.
Tinnitus is relatively common and should resolve on its own. If the ringing in the ears persists longer than a few days or becomes so loud that it begins to interfere with daily life, seek help from a medical professional.
