Dr. Adams' Alabama Headache Blog

Tinnitus is a ringing, swishing or other type of noise that seems to originate in the ear or head.

It is not a single disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this disorder. In almost all cases, only the patient can hear the noise.

Tinnitus can arise in any of the following areas: the iner ear, or by abnormalities in the brain. Some tinnitus or head noise is normal. Anything, such as wax or a foreign body in the external ear, that blocks the background sounds will cause us to be more aware of our own head sounds. Fluid, infection, or disease of the middle ear bones or ear drum (tympanic membrane) can also cause tinnitus.

One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Advancing age, loud noise, and some medications can lead to inner ear problems. Tinnitus can in very rare situations be a symptom of such serious problems as an aneurysm or a brain tumor (acoustic tumor).