Tinnitus

Definition: Tinnitus is defined as an abnormal ringing
noise in the ear.  It is extremely common and is associated
most frequently with sensorineural hearing loss.

If there is a pulsatile sound, then this needs to be
examined for an anatomic source.  Anatomic sources of
tinnitus include vascular problems and space occupying
lesions.

Sensorineural tinnitus patients will describe worsening
of the tinnitus while in quite environments where
competing noise is not covering the problem.

Therapy: It is best to first of all have a hearing test
to determine the frequencies of the problem.
Other testing can include bone conduction, electronystagmography,
and laboratory blood testing for metabolic abnormalities.

Therapy is oriented around the cause.  Sensorineural hearing
loss has no specific therapy.

With alternative therapies there has been good results with
acupuncture for tinnitus.  However, most people with tinnitus
hear ringing in the frequency that they have hearing loss in,
thus though the acupunture can remove the ringing, the patients
often notice their hearing loss.