Tinnitus

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is the sensation of sound in the ear when no actual sound is present. It is a fairly common symptom, with about 20% of people aged 55-65 reporting hearing ringing in their ears. Tinnitus can also signal a serious illness. Neurological damage, ear infections, oxidative stress, blockage of the ear canal with a foreign body or earwax, exposure to loud noise, sudden discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use, and poisoning from certain medications can all cause tinnitus. Individuals experience head tinnitus subjectively, and its severity depends on how much it interferes with sleep, rest, and daily activities.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology