Saying that tinnitus, which can occur in everyone regardless of age or gender, is a treatable problem, the ENT Specialist said that the character of tinnitus varies according to the underlying disease.
Tinnitus, which is defined as "perceiving sound as if there is no sound in the environment", can also be caused by a simple earwax, systemic diseases, thyroid problems, and several neurological disorders. In the inner ear, the inner ear produces sound as a result of damage to the hairy cells in the region where we perceive the sound. Tinnitus is the result of perceiving this sound. Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital ENT Specialist, who said that tinnitus was treated thanks to many methods developed today and the quality of life of the patient was increased, made explanations about the treatment processes.
Patients Are Not Helpless
Explaining that tinnitus can also prevent communication, our specialist said, "The person with the feeling of ringing in their ear cannot easily perceive the sounds coming from the outside environment. When this sound is constant, it can cause some discomfort, anxiety, and depression. Irritability can occur, and it can cause headaches". It is more common in older people over 60 years of age, those who are exposed to noise in their working environment, and those who listen to music in a noisy environment. Our specialist, who stated that patients with this complaint are not helpless, said, "Consultation of patients with their physicians brings healthy results."
"The Nature of Tinnitus Changes Based on the Disease"
Stating that the character of tinnitus changes according to the underlying diseases, our specialist informed us as follows: "Patients sometimes say 'there is a ringing in my ear, I can hear waves'. We see that the tone of the ringing changes based on the disease. For example, if there is a tumor, a high-frequency ringing can be seen. Ringing in the form of a murmur indicates the presence of a vascular problem, while ringing in the form of ringing may be related to the inner ear. Therefore, in the differential diagnosis, when tinnitus begins, its duration and character are extremely important. When the underlying cause is identified and treated, the tinnitus also disappears.
Beware of Vitamin Deficiencies!
Saying that iron deficiency causes tinnitus, our specialist said, "We should pay attention to the fact that the foods we consume are rich in iron. These foods should be foods such as green leafy vegetables, meats, and raisins. As a result of the examinations, people with iron deficiency anemia are also given replacement treatment under the control of a physician.
"Smoking and Alcohol Can Also Cause Tinnitus"
Underlining that they recommend treatment for the causative agent in tinnitus, our specialist said, "One of the most important factors here is to eliminate or at least reduce the factors that cause tinnitus. If working in noisy environments, headphones must be used. Staying away from noisy environments, if possible, and not listening to loud music are among the measures to be taken. In addition, smoking and alcohol should be avoided as they trigger tinnitus. Caffeinated drinks should be reduced.
Methods of Treatment Change Depending on the Person
If the person has advanced age-related hearing loss, tinnitus may accompany it. In this case, in addition to hearing aids, we can also use what we call white noise devices that produce some sounds, such as the sound of sea, rain, and music, to mask the sound coming from the inner ear. If tinnitus affects the patient too much, drugs and vitamins can also be used.
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