Tinnitus

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Definition - What does Tinnitus mean?

Tinnitus is a condition that causes unwanted sounds that without an outside source of the sound. Although the sound is internal, it may appear to the sufferer to be distant in origin in some cases. There are two types of tinnitus: subjective and objective. Subjective is when only the person experiencing it can hear it. Objective tinnitus however, can be heard by a medical professional during an examination as this type of tinnitus is caused by a physical event such as by turbulent blood flow, malformed vessels, or a growth of some sort.

SureHire explains Tinnitus

Tinnitus can be an intermittent or constant sounds that can be heard in one or both ears, seem to be within the head, or seem to come from a distance away. The sound can vary greatly and it can be a low pitched or high pitched sound, like a whistling, buzzing, whooshing, or static. Most people with tinnitus have some level of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Tinnitus can be caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise. For example, people who work in areas of high noise such as near airport runways, around heavy machinery, or around loud music. Additional causes can include wax build-up, infections in the ear, drugs, aging, or high blood pressure. It is usually more distinct at night or during quiet times. It can be very irritating and can cause a multitude of concerns for the individual.

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