Noise in the head in adults

Tinnitus (or buzzing, ringing in the ears and head) is an unpleasant sound or noise that no one else can hear except the person with the condition. Noise can be constant or transient. The sound may be loud or soft, may vary in pitch, and may be heard in one or both ears. Each person who has tinnitus can probably describe it differently.

It is estimated that between 10% and 15% of the world’s population experience tinnitus. Some studies have shown that the prevalence of unpleasant noises in the head and ears increases with age and affects both men and women equally.

Causes of noise in the head in adults

The causes of tinnitus are not fully known or understood, and the real influencing factors in a particular patient cannot always be found or identified. However, in many cases, sounds can be caused by illness or injury, such as:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• infections in the ear or sinuses;
• drug side effects;
• blows to the head;
• trauma to the auditory organ, such as exposure to loud explosions or very loud music;
• hearing loss;
• objects stuck in the ear canal or accumulation of earwax;
• dental problems;
• certain types of tumors.

Symptoms of noise in the head in adults

Tinnitus, by definition, is a subjective ringing, buzzing, noise, or tingling in the head, ear, that only the person experiencing it can hear. It can be continuous or intermittent and is most noticeable in a quiet environment with few distractions, making the patient worse at bedtime.

Noise can be described in many ways: humming, buzzing, ringing, whistling, hissing, clicking, throbbing, or roaring. Often this is a symptom of another underlying problem that is localized in the head or even other organs and systems. Many people with tinnitus also have partial or even complete hearing loss. In most cases, the cause of the problem is the hearing loss itself.

The worst part of tinnitus is that it is very annoying and hard to live with. A soft buzzing sound or noise may not be too disturbing for most patients, but some people hear very loud sounds for long periods of time, or sounds that disappear only to return once people get used to the silence again. It can affect sleep, concentration, and quality of life.

Treatment of noise in the head in adults

If you think you have a noise in your head or ears, your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) or a neurologist for an examination. You will likely have a hearing test (hearing evaluation) and may be referred for a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the head to see if the source of the noise can be traced.

Diagnostics

It is important to understand that there are no objective tests for tinnitus. Rather, the diagnosis is based on your symptoms, medical history, medical history, and the impact of tinnitus on your quality of life. In particular, you will be asked about your medical history, medications you take, history of head trauma, whether you hear loud noises, and even smoke. Your doctor may ask if you are more stressed than usual because sometimes depression or stress can trigger these episodes. You may also be advised to visit a dentist to see if a jaw problem is making the situation worse.

Modern treatments

Treatment for tinnitus largely depends on the cause. Since noise in the head and ears is usually a symptom and not a disease, addressing the underlying cause should help get rid of the sounds, or at least reduce them. Treatment may be one of the following:

• hearing aids for partial hearing loss;
• antibiotics for infections;
• removal of obstructions or wax from the ear canal;
• changing medications or dosages;
• treatment of certain neurological diseases;
• surgery to correct joint problems;
• counseling for stress or depression
• dental care.

There are currently no medications to treat spontaneous head and tinnitus of unknown cause. For the most part, tinnitus goes away on its own without treatment. In about 25% of cases, it remains constant.

When the cause of tinnitus cannot be found, or if the cause is something that cannot be corrected, there are some things you can do to try to come to terms with it. The need for this will depend on how loud and constant the sound is, how annoying it is to the person, and whether it interferes with their daily life.

Prevention of noise in the head in adults at home

Some people with severe head and tinnitus use a technique called masking, which uses a device very similar to a hearing aid that makes a soothing or pleasant sound. This hides annoying ringing or buzzing. Sounds can be different for each person. For example, some people may prefer to listen to music outdoors – birdsong, falling rain, or waterfalls. In some cases, masking can “train” the brain not to hear annoying noises, and after a while the device may not be needed all the time.

Other people do not need constant disguise, but they use this technique when they are trying to sleep, focus or relax. To do this, they may use radios, tape recorders, CD players, or even household appliances such as fans or air conditioners (this type of background masking is called “white noise”).

Sometimes hearing loss is the cause of tinnitus. A hearing test can determine if this is the case and whether a hearing aid can help. Often the aid amplifies what needs to be heard and ultimately drowns out or hides unwanted sounds.

If you suffer from tinnitus, it is important to avoid situations that could make it worse. This means avoiding noisy places and playing music at a reasonable level. Also important is awareness of drugs that are toxic to living cells or the ear (called “cytotoxic” or “ototoxic” drugs) and can help reduce the risk of developing tinnitus.

Some doctors recommend abstaining from caffeine and smoke as they can irritate the ears.

Popular questions and answers

Popular questions from patients who experienced noise in the head were answered by neurologist, teacher of neurology Elena Gayvoronskaya.