What causes clicking sounds in the ear. How is tinnitus diagnosed and treated. What are the common symptoms of tinnitus. Can tinnitus be cured completely. What lifestyle changes can help manage tinnitus. When should you see a doctor for ear clicking.

What is Tinnitus and Why Do I Hear Clicking in My Ear?

Tinnitus is a common auditory condition characterized by the perception of sound in the absence of an external source. One of the manifestations of tinnitus can be a clicking sound in the ear. This phenomenon can be quite distressing for those experiencing it, often leading to questions about its origin and potential seriousness.

Clicking in the ear is not a disease itself but rather a symptom that something may be amiss within the auditory system. It can originate from various parts of the ear, including the outer, middle, or inner ear, and even from the auditory nerve connecting the brain to the inner ear.

Common Symptoms Associated with Tinnitus

• Ringing or buzzing sounds
• Clicking or static noises
• Decreased hearing ability
• Sleep disturbances
• Increased stress levels
• Depression and anxiety

Is tinnitus always accompanied by hearing loss? While tinnitus and hearing loss often go hand in hand, it’s important to note that not all individuals with tinnitus experience significant hearing impairment. Some may have normal hearing but still perceive phantom sounds.

What Causes Tinnitus and the Clicking Sound in Your Ear?

The etiology of tinnitus is diverse, with several potential causes that can lead to the perception of clicking or other sounds in the ear. Understanding these causes is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Common Causes of Tinnitus

1. Earwax buildup
2. Sinus and ear infections
3. Age-related hearing loss
4. Trauma to the ear or head
5. Otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in the middle ear)
6. Muscle spasms in the inner ear
7. Thyroid abnormalities
8. Hormonal changes, particularly in women
9. Tumors (rarely)

Can earwax really cause tinnitus? Indeed, excessive earwax accumulation is a common and often overlooked cause of tinnitus. When earwax touches the eardrum, it can interfere with its normal function, potentially leading to tinnitus symptoms.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Certain environmental and lifestyle factors can contribute to the development or exacerbation of tinnitus:

• Prolonged exposure to loud noises (e.g., construction work, factory environments)
• Frequent attendance at loud concerts or events
• Use of earbuds or headphones at high volumes
• Certain medications (over 200 prescription drugs are known to potentially cause tinnitus)

How does noise exposure lead to tinnitus? Prolonged exposure to loud noises can damage the sensory hair cells in the inner ear responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain. This damage can result in noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

Diagnosing Tinnitus: When Should You Seek Professional Help?

If you’re experiencing persistent clicking or other unusual sounds in your ear, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional. An audiologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist can provide a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.

The Diagnostic Process

1. Physical examination of the ear
2. Comprehensive hearing test
3. Review of medical history
4. Discussion of symptoms and their impact on daily life
5. Possible imaging studies (in some cases)

What specific tests are used to diagnose tinnitus? Audiologists typically employ a range of tests, including pure tone audiometry, speech recognition tests, and tympanometry to assess hearing function and identify potential causes of tinnitus.

Treatment Options for Tinnitus and Ear Clicking

The treatment approach for tinnitus varies depending on the underlying cause and the severity of symptoms. In many cases, a multidisciplinary approach yields the best results.

Common Tinnitus Treatments

• Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)
• Sound therapy
• Hearing aids (for those with associated hearing loss)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Stress reduction techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga)
• Electrical stimulation (in some cases)

How effective is tinnitus retraining therapy? TRT has shown significant success in helping individuals manage their tinnitus. It works by retraining the brain to perceive tinnitus as a neutral rather than a distressing signal, often resulting in reduced awareness of the phantom sounds.

Medications for Tinnitus Management

While there is no FDA-approved medication specifically for tinnitus, certain drugs may be prescribed to manage associated symptoms or underlying conditions:

• Benzodiazepines (to reduce anxiety and nerve hyperactivity)
• Prostaglandin analogues (in specific cases)
• Antidepressants (to address depression and potentially reduce tinnitus intensity)

Are there any over-the-counter medications for tinnitus? Currently, there are no proven over-the-counter medications specifically for tinnitus. However, some individuals find relief from symptoms through the use of white noise machines or apps that produce masking sounds.

Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies for Tinnitus Management

While medical treatments are often necessary, certain lifestyle modifications and home remedies may help alleviate tinnitus symptoms:

Dietary Considerations

• Reducing caffeine intake
• Limiting salt consumption
• Avoiding trigger foods (individual triggers may vary)

Supplements and Alternative Therapies

Some individuals report benefits from:

• Zinc supplements
• Ginkgo biloba
• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback

It’s important to note that scientific evidence supporting these remedies is limited, and their effectiveness can vary greatly among individuals.

Can dietary changes really impact tinnitus symptoms? While research is ongoing, some studies suggest that certain dietary modifications, particularly reducing salt and caffeine intake, may help alleviate tinnitus symptoms in some individuals. However, the impact varies, and it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

Prevention: Protecting Your Ears from Tinnitus

While not all cases of tinnitus are preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Use hearing protection in noisy environments
• Keep the volume at a moderate level when using headphones
• Take regular breaks from prolonged exposure to loud sounds
• Maintain good cardiovascular health
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques

How loud is too loud when it comes to protecting your hearing? As a general rule, if you need to raise your voice to be heard over background noise, the environment is likely loud enough to potentially damage your hearing over time. Using a decibel meter app on your smartphone can help you monitor sound levels in various environments.

Living with Tinnitus: Coping Strategies and Support

For many individuals, tinnitus becomes a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. Developing effective coping strategies is crucial for maintaining quality of life.

Psychological Support

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Mindfulness meditation
• Support groups
• Counseling

Sound Therapy Techniques

Using external sounds to mask or distract from tinnitus can be helpful:

• White noise machines
• Nature sound recordings
• Tinnitus-specific sound therapy apps

How can tinnitus support groups help? Tinnitus support groups provide a platform for individuals to share experiences, coping strategies, and emotional support. They can be invaluable in helping people feel less isolated and more empowered in managing their condition.

Emerging Research and Future Treatments for Tinnitus

The field of tinnitus research is dynamic, with ongoing studies exploring new treatment approaches and deepening our understanding of the condition.

Promising Areas of Research

• Neuromodulation techniques
• Gene therapy
• Stem cell treatments
• Advanced sound therapy protocols

What is neuromodulation and how might it help tinnitus? Neuromodulation involves using electrical or magnetic stimulation to alter neural activity in specific brain regions. In the context of tinnitus, researchers are exploring whether these techniques can help reduce the perception of phantom sounds by modulating the activity of auditory processing areas in the brain.

As research progresses, it’s likely that new and more effective treatments for tinnitus will emerge, offering hope to those who struggle with this challenging condition.

Living with tinnitus, particularly when it manifests as a clicking sound in the ear, can be challenging. However, with proper diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies, many individuals find significant relief from their symptoms. If you’re experiencing persistent ear clicking or other forms of tinnitus, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Remember, while tinnitus is often a chronic condition, it doesn’t have to significantly impact your quality of life. With the right approach and support, you can learn to manage your symptoms effectively and continue to enjoy a full and active lifestyle.

What Is the Clicking in My Ear…Should I Be Concerned?

Are you experiencing crackling, buzzing, ringing, static, or clicking in the ear sound? If so, it could be that your hearing aid batteries need to be changed. But if you’re experiencing clicking in the ear and you don’t wear hearing aids, it could be an indicator of tinnitus. In either case, the team at North Shore Hearing P.C. can help. 

At North Shore Hearing P.C., we’ve been helping people from all walks of life take control of their hearing for over two decades. We offer a range of specialized hearing solutions that can be tailored to your unique situation. 

And one of the most common questions we receive from our clients is “What is the clicking sound in my ear?”…and “Is it serious?” Let’s take a closer look at tinnitus – the most common cause of the clicking sound in the ear.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is an abnormal ear noise that can arise in the outer ear, inner ear, middle ear, or in the nerve that runs from your brain to your inner ear. To be clear, tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a symptom of something wrong in the auditory system. In addition to ringing ears and clicking in the ears, people suffering from tinnitus often experience:

• Decreased hearing
• Problems sleeping
• Elevated levels of stress
• Depression
• High levels of anxiety

If you are experiencing hearing loss, high-pitched continuous sounds, clicking in the ear, or ear throbbing, you could be suffering from tinnitus.

What Causes Tinnitus and Clicking in the Ear?

A common culprit of tinnitus is earwax buildup. If earwax accumulates and touches your eardrum, it can prevent it from functioning properly. Although this can happen naturally, earwax buildup is often attributed to improper cleaning of the ear. 

For example, people who use Q-tips often force the ear wax deeper into the ear canal, causing it to become compacted. However, you should never insert a Q-Tip or any other foreign object into your ear. If you do need to clean your ears, it’s imperative you know the safe earwax removal methods. Additional causes of tinnitus include: 

• Sinus and ear infections
• Aging
• Trauma
• Otosclerosis
• Muscle Spasms
• Thyroid abnormalities
• Hormonal changes in women
• Tumors

Before assuming the worst, it’s important to consider all the options and consult with an audiologist about what you are experiencing. Sometimes, tinnitus is one of the first signs of hearing loss that happens naturally with aging. 

If someone is taking multiple medications, it could even be a side effect of the medicine. Research shows that more than 200 prescription drugs are known to cause tinnitus, sometimes even after patients stop taking them.

Individuals who work in relatively noisy environments—such as construction or factory workers—can develop tinnitus over time. The development of tinnitus can be due to ongoing exposure to noise that eventually harms the sensory hair cells in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.  

This is referred to as noise-induced hearing loss. This can also occur by consistently listening to loud music (e.g. concerts, earbuds at high volume), so young people should be especially careful.

How Can I Treat the Clicking in My Ear? 

Depending on the root cause of your tinnitus, it can be treated in different ways. Once you’ve gone through a physical exam and a hearing test, you can be recommended to the appropriate specialist who will give you the best advice on how to move forward. Common tinnitus treatments are:

• Tinnitus retraining therapy
• Relief therapy
• Hearing aids
• Depression counseling
• Electrical stimulation
• Meditation or yoga to reduce stress

What Medications Can Be Used to Treat Tinnitus?

Medications often given to tinnitus patients include:

• Benzodiazepine – help suppress nerve function, decreasing tinnitus related symptoms
• Prostaglandin analogues (e.g. Cytotec) – normally used to treat gastric ulcer and glaucoma, some tinnitus patients can use this medication depending on their root cause
• Antidepressants – decrease intensity of tinnitus symptoms and levels of depression, which sometimes cause tinnitus to begin with

Home Remedies and Therapies for Tinnitus

If you are looking for a home remedy or alternate medicine to alleviate symptoms, there is not enough research to support many of the popular options. Even so, the following home remedies are commonly used in an attempt to find relief: 

• Dietary restrictions (e.g. avoid coffee and limit salt intake)
• Zinc supplements
• Ginkgo biloba
• Stop smoking tobacco
• Biofeedback
• Acupuncture

Contact North Shore Hearing P.C. for Tinnitus Treatment

At North Shore Hearing P.C., we take a holistic approach to treating tinnitus. Our experienced audiological professionals will work closely with you to develop a unique program that meets your needs and helps you achieve your hearing goals. Our management approaches are proven to help provide relief and reduce symptoms. Learn more about how we treat tinnitus, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for relief.

Irregular Ear Clicking or Vibration Noise

by Dr. Christopher Chang, last modified on
9/1/21.
Read and comment below!

Introduction

Every once in awhile, I see a patient who complains of an irregular clicking (or vibration-like) noise in one or both ears that occurs in bursts and may last anywhere from a few minutes every few days to as long as days or weeks at a time. Just as mysteriously as they begin, the noise may suddenly stop only to restart weeks, months, or even years later (or never again). In the rare patient, the sound is ALWAYS there. For others, it happens only when hearing a sound.

Click…. click… click, click, click…
CLICK… click, click…
click… Click Click… click… … … … CLICK

The noise occurs whether you are simply breathing without any chewing or swallowing (if it happens with opening and closing the mouth, you have TMJ). It occurs while reading, sleeping, or watching TV. There’s nothing you do that consistently seems to trigger it to happen nor get it to stop. There is no pain and if anything, this issue is more annoying than anything else. If this does not quite sound like you, your problem is more likely to be due to eustachian tube dysfunction.

These irregular clicking noises in the ear should NOT be confused with tinnitus. Rather, irregular clicking noises in the ear are almost always due to muscle spasms. .. just like “eye twitching” or “facial twitching”. BUT, instead of being able to “see” the twitching as with eye twitching (also known as blepharospasm), one hears the twitching instead since the muscles are located around or in the ear. The most common causes are:

• Palatal Myoclonus
• Tensor tympani and/or stapedius muscle spasms (middle ear myoclonus, tonic tensor tympani syndrome)

Create the ear clicking/pulsing sound you hear with an
online ear noise generator.

Palatal Myoclonus

The first potential cause (palatal myoclonus) can be diagnosed by seeing “spasms” of the soft palate that occurs in time with the clicking. Spasms of the soft palate can be visualized by simply looking in the mouth or by nasal endoscopy. The mouth needs to open passively since actively opening the mouth will often suppress the palate spasms. Watch the videos below (click on picture).

The reason one is able to “hear” the twitching is because the muscles of the soft palate extend up into the ear via the eustachian tube.

Treatment of palatal myoclonus is by botox injections to the muscles that are twitching. Just like botox treatment anywhere else in the body, the effects are only temporary and needs to be repeated every 3-6 months.

Tensor Tympani or Stapedius Muscle Spasms

Regarding tensor tympani and stapedius muscle spasms (middle ear myoclonus)… these muscle are not able to be visualized as they are located within the middle ear. The tensor tympani attaches to the malleus ossicle (the “hammer” of the 3 middle ear bones) and the stapedius muscle attaches to the stapes ossicle (the “stirrup”).

The stapedius muscle is the smallest skeletal muscle in the human body. At just over one millimeter in length, its purpose is to stabilize the smallest bone in the body, the stapes. The tensor tympani is a muscle located in a bony canal above the eustachian tube and connects to the malleus bone. Its main role is to dampen loud sounds, such as those produced from chewing, shouting, or thunder. Because its reaction time is not fast enough, the muscle cannot protect against hearing damage caused by sudden loud sounds, like explosions or gunshots.

Just like any muscle in the body, these muscles can also “twitch” rapidly causing the clicking noise in the ear. Tensor tympani muscle spasms typically produce a clicking sound whereas stapedius muscle spasms produce more of a buzz/click sound. About 80% of patients suffering from middle ear myoclonus recall either a triggering stressful event or sudden loud noise exposure.

Middle ear myoclonus (MEM) produced noises occur completely at random without any associated correlation with external triggers. Tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS) produced noises also occur randomly, BUT is associated with external triggers typically occurring with certain sounds/pitches (for example, occurs only with talking, hearing a child cry, swallowing, etc).

Unfortunately, there is no “test” one can obtain to definitively diagnose this problem with absolute certainty. One can infer there may be an issue by observing twitching of the eardrum under endoscopic magnification. Abnormalities may be seen on stapedial reflex and acoustic reflex decay. However, really the best way to diagnose is based purely on history and excluding palatal myoclonus as a diagnosis (no soft palate twitching seen even though the patient is able to hear it).

One can try to treat this condition with TriMagnesium 500mg total per day and if that fails, consider even trying muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants (ie, flexeril, neurontin, dilantin). One study found that tegretol (anti-convulsant) with baclofen (muscle relaxant) worked best.

However, ultimately the only way this problem can be definitively treated is surgical… the muscle gets cut. Botox can NOT be utilized as one needs to be able to “see” or “feel” the muscle in order to inject botox. This surgery is performed by a neuro-otologic surgeon.

See the full list of surgeons who can perform this surgery here.

References:

Clinical characteristics and therapeutic response of objective tinnitus due to middle ear myoclonus: a large case series. Laryngoscope 2013, 123 (10): 2516-20

Stapedius muscle myoclonus. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003 Jun;112(6):522-4.

Middle-ear myoclonus. J Laryngol Otol. 2000 Mar;114(3):207-9.

Management of middle ear myoclonus. J Laryngol Otol. 1994 May;108(5):380-2.

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causes and treatment, how to diagnose

Tinnitus (from Latin tinnītus “ringing”) is the sensation of sound in one or both ears in the absence of an external source of sound. This sensation is mostly described as ringing in the ears, but the sounds can also be hissing, humming, clicking, or buzzing. Noise, hum or ringing in the ears can be strong, mild or moderate, constant or intermittent. The perception of tinnitus is individual.

Although tinnitus is heard in the ears, it occurs in the nerve circuits of the brain, which causes us to hear sounds in the head. It is not yet known exactly what is going on in the brain to create the illusion of a sound that is not actually there. Tinnitus is the most common disorder affecting 10 to 15% of the world’s population.

Causes of noise or ringing in the ears

The appearance of tinnitus can be caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises or certain lifestyle habits. Ringing in the ears can also occur in healthy people and for no apparent reason. However, in many cases, the appearance of noise or ringing in the ears is associated with hearing loss.

Causes that can trigger tinnitus can be divided into the following groups:

Medical

• Diabetes
• Anemia
• Allergy
• Otosclerosis
• Meniere’s disease
• Earwax plug
• Head and neck tumors
• Low serotonin 9 0018
• Blood pressure problems
• Thyroid problems (hypothyroidism).
• Diseases of the outer, middle or inner ear.

Hearing impairment

According to statistics, 80-85% of patients suffering from tinnitus have some degree of hearing impairment. Despite the fact that tinnitus is not the cause of hearing impairment, but its impact negatively affects concentration, performance, because constant sounds in the head are distracting and prevent you from concentrating on really important sound information. Annoying noise distracts from daily tasks and interferes with meaningful communication with family, friends and loved ones.

Head injury and brain disease
Head injury, such as a concussion, can damage the inner ear and cause tinnitus. Also, neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, can lead to tinnitus, and acoustic tumors of the auditory or vestibular nerve, by putting pressure on the nerve endings, can create tinnitus. In this case, the treatment of tinnitus should begin with an appeal to a neurologist.

Problems with the heart and blood vessels

If your tinnitus is pulsating, it may be due to a problem with your blood vessels.

Drugs that cause tinnitus

The most common drugs that cause tinnitus are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin, gentamicin), diuretics, some antibiotics, and cancer drugs. If you experience tinnitus after starting a drug or changing its dosage, contact your healthcare provider right away to determine further treatment.

Risk factors for tinnitus

Often tinnitus occurs in people with hearing impairment of different ages, but the elderly and those whose professional activities are associated with high-level noise exposure are at risk.

Age-related hearing loss

Hearing loss due to aging is called presbycusis and begins at age 60. The greater the hearing loss, the more likely it is that tinnitus will occur. To prevent the appearance of annoying noise, you must first contact an audiologist for a hearing diagnosis in order to assess its severity (i.e., at what frequencies a decrease is observed) and then select a method for correcting the identified violations.

Loud noise exposure

Regular exposure to loud noise in professional activities (airport workers, factories, construction sites, city transport drivers, military, hunters) is a common cause of hearing loss and tinnitus. Wearing earplugs at work will help protect your hearing.

Lifestyle
Listening to music at high volumes for extended periods of time or frequent concerts can also cause permanent hearing damage. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, abuse of foods and drinks containing caffeine can cause tinnitus. Frequent fatigue and stress can also be risk factors.

If you have tinnitus, start your treatment journey by contacting a hearing care professional who specializes in diagnosing tinnitus to help determine the underlying cause. If common causes of tinnitus are ruled out, your doctor will refer you to another specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

How to reduce the impact of tinnitus

Because tinnitus is purely a subjective sensation, it can be difficult to diagnose, so following the recommendations of your audiologists on your own can help alleviate the condition:

• Avoid tobacco, coffee, cola, tea;
• Learn to relax, arrange a relaxing minute for yourself;
• Try to control your blood pressure, measure it regularly;
• Avoid loud noise and use earplugs for occupational protection;
• Try to eat less salt, because. its use is one of the causes of circulatory disorders;
• Exercise regularly, exercise improves blood circulation, which helps reduce tinnitus;
• Use a hearing aid. It not only helps with hearing loss, but also has a masking effect that will help you get rid of annoying tinnitus and reduce its impact on daily life.

Hearing loss and tinnitus

Noise or ringing in the ears or head often cannot be treated, but the good news is that tinnitus can be controlled. The latest technological solutions in the field of audiology and deafness come to the rescue. Clinical studies show that digital hearing aids are not only effective in addressing hearing loss, but also help reduce the impact of tinnitus and provide overall relief.
Amplification of environmental sounds through the hearing aid provides activation of the auditory part of the nervous system, which reduces the perception of tinnitus. With constant exposure to amplified environmental sounds, the auditory part of the nervous system is rebuilt, which has a beneficial effect on the function of nervous activity, restoring it and weakening hypersensitivity to auditory sensations.

Modern hearing aids are equipped with a sound generator function, such as white noise or ocean noise, the intensity of which the user can independently control using a smartphone thanks to a mobile application for iPhone and Android.

Find out more about modern digital hearing aid models that help manage tinnitus.

Khairulina Svetlana Ivanovna

Otorhinolaryngologist-audiologist of the first category. Work experience: since 2007. Conducts reception of adults and children from birth.

Reception of adults and children:

Minsk, Independence Avenue, 83

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Center for Good Hearing

High-frequency tinnitus – causes, diagnosis, treatment.

25
Mar
2018

25 Mar 2018 Tinnitus types, Symptoms Tinnitus types, Dizziness, What to do?, Head noise, Tinnitus 8

ears . A person perceives it and describes it as a squeak or whistle. In young people, the symptom is more often unilateral; for patients of mature and elderly age, bilateral manifestations are characteristic.

Contents of the article:

• 1 Provoking factors
• 2 Pathology of the peripheral parts
  • 2.1 Eustacheitis
  • 2.2 Balance organ
  • 2.3 Organ of Corti (cochlea)
  • 2.4 Initial parts of the auditory nerve
  • 2.5 Pathology of the central parts of the auditory analyzer
    • 2.5.1 Effective treatment of tinnitus

Triggers

According to acoustic standards, sounds with a frequency of 800 Hz or more are considered high-frequency. The physiological limit that the human ear can hear and the brain can perceive is 20,000 Hz.

The hair cells of the organ of Corti (part of the cochlea) are responsible for the perception of such high tones in the inner ear, with very short villi that lose their flexibility with age. Therefore, young people can hear higher frequencies than older people.

Many cases of tonal high-frequency tinnitus are due to pathological stimulation from the cells of the organ of Corti. No less often, a squeak in ears occurs due to problems with the auditory nerve. Somewhat less often – with damage to the central parts of the auditory analyzer.

So, it can squeak in the ears for the following reasons:

1. Inflammatory processes in the parotid region – otitis media, ethmoiditis.
2. Diseases of ENT organs – eustachitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis.
3. Hypertonicity of masticatory muscles (trismus, bruxism).
4. Damage to the auditory nerve itself, when pathological impulses come from the fibers that conduct high-frequency sound.
5. Disorders from the subcortical parts of the auditory analyzer located in the brain.

1. Chronic sonic overload. High-pitched tinnitus is a common occurrence among musicians and entertainers.
2. Acute sonic overload, acoustic trauma.
3. Stress, episodes of psycho-emotional overstrain.

In general, the causes of squeaking and high-frequency ringing are different, and in order to eliminate them, one cannot do without qualified medical assistance.

High-pitched tinnitus may be the first symptom of sensorineural hearing loss.

Thanks to their experience, the specialists of the clinic of restorative neurology “Tinitus Neuro” on the day of treatment, based on the results of a patient’s survey, can roughly determine the cause and location of damage to the auditory analyzer.

Pathology of the peripheral parts

This includes all pathology that is associated with damage to the organ of hearing from the auricle to the auditory nerve. The main problems are created by the ENT organs, the labyrinth (responsible for balance), the organ of Corti and the auditory nerve itself.

Eustacheitis

Inflammatory diseases of the throat cause swelling of the tubal tonsil, located at one end of the Eustachian tube. As a result, the tube becomes clogged, the pressure in the tympanic cavity drops and a tonal whistle occurs. Typical:

• The symptom is unilateral.
• Hearing in the affected ear weakens, it seems to be blocked.
• There are signs of inflammation in the throat, on the tonsils, maybe sinusitis.

It should be borne in mind that both low-frequency and broadband tinnitus can occur with eustacheitis, so independent conclusions about the nature of the noise without consulting a doctor should not be made.

Organ of balance

The labyrinth, which consists of three semicircular tubules, is very closely connected with other structures of the inner ear, in particular with the organ of Corti.

High frequency squeaking and tinnitus occur with Meniere’s disease, inflammation of the labyrinth, injuries and tumors of the inner ear. Such localization of the source of tinnitus is characterized by:

• Unilateral manifestation.
• Hearing is preserved, at least in the initial stages of the pathology.
• Tinnitus is accompanied by symptoms of imbalance.

Organ of Corti (cochlea)

It is there that the cells are located, which eventually perceive the vibrations of the tympanic membrane and transform them into electrical impulses transmitted to the auditory nerve.

With age and with pronounced sound overload, these cells gradually die off, starting with those responsible for the perception of high frequency sounds. In some people, this is manifested by a decrease in hearing to high-pitched sounds, in others, high-frequency tinnitus occurs.

The process is usually two-way.

Primary sections of the auditory nerve

Strictly speaking, when the root of the auditory nerve is damaged, noises of different heights, including high-frequency ones, may occur.

Characterized by monotonous tone and unilateral localization of tinnitus.

Pathology of the central parts of the auditory analyzer

Two problems are most common here: psycho-emotional overstrain and circulatory disorders in the brain tissues (vertebrobasilar insufficiency).

Given that the central parts of the auditory analyzer include 5 neurons, it is very difficult to find the source of high-frequency tinnitus among them. Moreover, in some cases, a unilateral lesion leads to the appearance of noise in both ears.

Effective treatment for tinnitus

No qualified physician would treat a patient with high frequency tinnitus based on a single interview.

More about treatment

Thanks to experience and knowledge, after talking with the patient, the doctor can focus on the study of a particular area – the middle ear, ENT organs or the central nervous system.

Tinnitus Neuro Restorative Neurology Clinic uses modern methods for in-depth study of high-frequency tinnitus – Doppler ultrasound, CT, MRI, electroencephalography and audiometry in all modes.