Sounds of Tinnitus

The sounds of tinnitus may come in different types, although the most common is a ringing sound. No wonder it is more popularly known as ringing in the ears, a sound that can be heard by a person even though it has no external noise.

The unwanted sound has various causes, and they are generally medical conditions. Logically, then, it is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Moreover, the sounds of tinnitus differ from one sufferer to another, and they are basically dependent on the root cause of the unwanted sound.

If the root cause is noise-induced cochlear damage, a sufferer may either hear:

• ringing bells;
  
• a sound that cicadas or crickets produce;
  
• chirping;
  
• roaring;
  
• hissing; or
  
• fluttering noises.
  

If it is stress, one of these noises can be heard:

• ringing
  
• whistling
  
• whizzing
  
• whooshing
  
• rushing and roaring as of water or a waterfall
  

The noises that are usually associated with sinus problems or allergies, on the other hand, include:

• clucking or cracking,
  
• gurgling, or
  
• high-pitched ringing noise.
  

You should be observant about the sound that you hear relating to tinnitus because it will help your physician determine its root cause. As you might have known, the presence of the unwanted sound marks the presence of an underlying medical condition. And, being able to determine what that medical condition makes finding the treatment that suits you relatively easy. It is primarily because the treatment of the unwanted sound is largely dependent on its cause.

While the noise is not a disease and not life-threatening in itself, it can have severe effects and implications. One notable effect is the weakening of the immune system. This happens because the unwanted sound can get so loud at night that you may not get enough sleep. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system, thus making you susceptible to various diseases.

Furthermore, lack of sleep makes you easily get tired and irritated the following day. Anxiety and stress then take place, thus increasing the level of the ear ringing. And, the cycle can go on especially if nothing is done about it.

There are different sounds of tinnitus as much as it has various causes and effects. While treatments have been made available, we should do the best we can to prevent it from affecting us. We can start with the basics and the common sense steps, an example of which is setting our stereos or MP3 players to a moderate volume.