Cause of Tinnitus: Do You Know Why You Have Tinnitus?

Mike Walden
When external sound waves reach the small, sensitive hairs that are present in the inner parts of the human ear, they produce signals that are electronic in nature. These signals, thus generated, travel through the auditory nerves and finally reach the brain. These signals are received, and then interpreted as sound, by the brain. However, when the delicate hairs on one´s inner ear somehow get damaged or are not functioning properly, confusing and wrong signals are sent up to the brain. While processing these signals, the brain produces bizarre, disturbing noises, which in turn, travel back to the ear. These sounds can vary in their nature, and include whooshing, whistling or ringing sounds, among others. As a result, a person gets to hear these noises, even when no apparent source of such sounds is present near him/her. Tinnitus is the name given to the disease which causes a person to hear such distressing sounds.

There are several factors that bring about these problems. Several other triggers which can spark off these causes can also be detected. Since tinnitus can be caused by a multiple set of factors, experts need to be extremely careful while analyzing them. As a case in point, sinus-related complications act only as a trigger, and are not, in itself, one of the underlying reasons of tinnitus. On the other hand, a high level of blood pressure is generally viewed as one of the most important underlying causes of the disease. Such blood pressure problems can be a direct result of an erratic lifestyle led by the person. A heightened level of stress is another cause. These causes of the disease can only be eliminated if a holistic method of treating tinnitus is adopted.

Cause of Tinnitus: A Brief Overview

Excess stress-levels or a depressed state of mind: Tinnitus can occur even when one or both the ears is apparently okay, and medical tests also do nothing to prove otherwise. Such problems, brought about by excessive stress, can be solved only via a holistic approach to treatment, and adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

Acoustic Neuroma problems: Acoustic Neuroma can bring about tinnitus in the form of a tumor and it generally remains benign. The cranial nerve, which extends from the brain to the inner parts of the ear, and is in charge of all auditory and related controlling functions, is the place where the tumor might develop. Acoustic Neuroma usually results in tinnitus in one of the ears, and the problem is also known as Vestibular Schwannoma.

Factors related to Meniere´s disease: Tinnitus is also often brought about by this problem, which affects the functioning of the internal regions of the ear. A characteristic ear fluid exerts pressure, and this, in many cases can be a direct cause of tinnitus.

Injuries in the head or the neck: These injuries often affect the way in which the human brain works, and can also damage the nerves in these. Such damages can easily affect the ear too. As a result, a person might develop tinnitus.

Problems due to senility: As a person becomes senile, (s)he can lose his/powers of hearing, either totally, or, at least, to some extent. As a person reaches 60 years of age, these factors, also termed Presbycusis in medical jargon, start to manifest themselves.

Having to hear sounds at high volumes: This is also a probable cause. If a person has to continuously hear noises at extremely high pitches, a constant ringing noise seems to be audible to him/her, even when there exists no such source. For example, this is common in people who are employed in stamping mills or forging jobs. Tinnitus problems can also result from the shot guns that are rather heavy, and have to be placed on the shoulder for firing. Also, if individuals are constantly exposed to the loud beats of music at night clubs, they are prone to tinnitus attacks.

Deposits of ear wax: If ear wax gets accumulated in the ear over time, it might cross the prescribed maximum level. When this limit is crossed, tinnitus problems may crop up.


Atherosclerosis: It refers to cases when deposits of cholesterol constrict the blood vessels of the human body. When the blood vessels of either the middle or the inner portions of the ear are affected, tinnitus can be a direct result. The inherent elasticity that accounts for other cardiac functions are also lost as a result. The affected person hears such auditory impulses as hissing or whooshing noises, apart from other pulsating sounds. Both the ears are affected in such cases.

A high level of blood pressure: This factor brings about tinnitus problems in much the same way as the factor explained above. When cholesterol, in high amounts, gets accumulated on the arteries, the supply of blood to the head and the neck gets reduced. This is the prime reason for the resultant tinnitus attacks. If patients opt for correct, and early, holistic treatments, these problems can be avoided.

Neck or head tumors: Such tumors put a very high degree of pressure on the blood vessels of the head and the neck. Also known as vascular neoplasm, these tumors can also result in tinnitus.

AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation):This process refers to erroneous contacts between the veins and the arteries and it can be a major cause too. Tinnitus, caused in this manner, affects one of the ears.

Cause of Tinnitus: Certain Medicines Also Play A Part

There are certain types of medicinal drugs that can bring about tinnitus problems. In fact, some of such medicines can increase the intensity of the disease as well.

Let us now look at some of the common medicines that are considered to be among the contributing factors of tinnitus as well:

Various types of antibiotics, including erythromycin, chloramphenicol, bleomycin, tetracycline or vancomycin.

Medicines that are prescribed for cancer treatment, like vincristine and mechlorethamine.

Ethacrynic acid, furosemide, bumetanide and such other diuretic medications.

Medicines like quinine, that are often used to treat malaria, and similar other health symptoms.

Even aspirin can result in giving rise to constant ringing sounds in the ear, particularly if individuals are in the habit of taking high doses of the medicines, and that too, over a long time.

Tinnitus is often termed as a multilateral disease since it can be caused by a combination of several factors, as has been discussed above. The key to finding an effective solution is in proper identification and elimination of these causes. Conventional methods of treatment generally fail to provide any long-standing relief. This is due to the fact that, such treatments do not make an attempt to locate the chief causes of tinnitus, and treat only the symptoms of the problem. On the other hand, holistic treatments locate the main problem-creating factors and then remove them. The entire body is taken as a single unit in this treatment approach. Medicines prescribed by holistic approaches include herb-based products, and certain changes in the patients´ lifestyles are also suggested. Over time, these holistic methods have been widely effective for treating tinnitus.

This article is based on the book "Tinnitus Miracle – A Unique Three Step Holistic System for Quieting the Noise in Your Head" by Thomas Colman. Thomas is a former chronic tinnitus sufferer who has written dozens of holistic health and tinnitus related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.

To Learn More About Unique 3-Step Holistic Tinnitus Cure System Visit: Tinnitus Miracle.

For further information visit: Tinnitus Home Remedies
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Mike Walden

Mike Walden is a certified nutritionist, independent medical researcher, natural health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Acne No More- Open The Door To An Acne Free Life." Mike has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.