| |
Tinnitus is a subjective disorder characterized as
chronic ringing, roaring, buzzing, humming, chirping, or
hissing in the ears in the absence of environmental
noise (ATA 2002). Symptoms of
tinnitus are frequently
found in elderly persons and are often associated with
hearing loss related to the aging process (presbycusis).
Although the cause is usually unknown, tinnitus can
be a symptom of almost any ear disorder, including
infection (otitis media), a blocked ear canal (ear wax)
or eustachian tube, otosclerosis (overgrowth of bone in
the middle ear), labyrinthitis, and Meniere's disease.
Even blast injury from explosions has been known to
cause symptoms of
tinnitus. Additionally, adverse side
effects from some drugs (e.g., aspirin and antibiotics)
cause tinnitus symptoms
|
|
