Tinnitus

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Tinnitus (TIN-i-tus or ti-NIGHT-us), commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears,” is the perception of sound where no external source is present.

Tinnitus: Most commonly caused by noise exposure, tinnitus impacts up to 50 million Americans.

Of those, 16 million suffer from chronic tinnitus and have sought medical attention for their condition. Tinnitus is the top service-connected disability for veterans from all periods of service. It is also impacting returning personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan in historic numbers.

Tinnitus: Ringing in the Ears — Tinnitus is the perception of a sound that has no external source.

More Information

The exact physiological causes for tinnitus are unknown. There are several hypothetical sources that are known to trigger or worsen the sensation of tinnitus.

Likely causes for tinnitus include noise exposure, head and neck trauma, cardiovascular disease or other medical disorders,

Furthermore exposure to ototoxic chemicals or medications can also be a cause.

More information about the symptoms, causes and possible treatments for tinnitus can be found at the American Tinnitus Association website.