Tinnitus is an inner ear condition characterized by the perception of constant or intermittent ringing, buzzing or rushing sounds. For some people with this condition, the sound they hear is little more than a nuisance.

Others experience a loss of ability to hear higher frequencies, evidenced, for example, by difficulty following conversations in noisy situations.

For others, tinnitus can be quite literally maddening. For these the ringing or rushing sound is so loud that it results in permanent hearing loss and can be a factor aggravating depression or other mental health problems.

The causes are not always easy to identify. Childhood ear infections are known to be a factor, as are ear wax buildup, certain medications, jaw misalignment and cardiovascular disease.

In other cases, the cause of the tinnitus is obvious. Exposure to a single extraordinarily loud sonic event — such as an explosion — or to loud sounds over a sustained period can lead to tinnitus. Musicians are more likely to experience tinnitus because of their constant exposure to high-decibel music. Construction workers are also vulnerable because of their use of power tools, machinery and, in some cases, explosives.

In September The Associated Press reported that medical researchers have predicted an increase in tinnitus and other hearing problems as cell phones and MP3 players become more popular.

“(With these devices) … it’s becoming more of a full-day listening experience, as opposed to just when you’re jogging,” said Robert Novak, director of clinical education in audiology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

Novak reported that he sees too many young people with “old ears.”

He and his colleagues randomly examined students’ hearing and documented an increase of “noise-induced” hearing loss, as well as tinnitus.
Though there is no cure for tinnitus, some treatments have proven effective in mitigating its symptoms. These include:

■ Meditation and/or r elaxation exercises.

■ Masking. Tinnitus is more problematic in quiet environments. Low-decibel competing sounds or “white noise,” such as a ticking clock or radio static, can mask the tinnitus and make it less noticeable.

■ Hearing aids. People with both hearing loss and tinnitus will sometimes experience relief from tinnitus when they use a hearing aid. Some hearing aids can be equipped with devices that mask tinnitus

By Doug Worgul
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/living/13934557.htm