What causes ringing in the ears

asks DOUBRIS:

A. It's called tinnitus, and it doesn't have to be ringing: it can be whistling, roaring, singing, buzzing or machine-type noises. Usually there's some hearing loss, too. Tinnitus is more common in men and affects many people aged 65 or more. For some, it's a mild noise which can only be heard when there's no external background noise: for others it is severe and is often associated with depression and insomnia.

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Q. What causes it
A. In most cases, it's put down to ageing. It's unusual in young people, but with them it usually starts after listening to extremely loud music. In both cases, the cochlea (inner ear) has been damaged.
Sometimes it can be caused by head injuries, whiplash or ear syringing, and it can be a side-effect of drugs, such as aspirin.
It is also a symptom of Meniere's disease, which affects those over 50 and causes dizziness.
And sometimes it can be caused by wax near the ear drum or middle ear infection.

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Q. What makes the noise
A. It's not certain, but many people say the noises get worse when they are anxious or stressed.

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Q. Can anyone else hear it
A. In rare cases, the tinnitus is caused by contraction of muscles in the ear or palate and this can be heard by other people. Usually, though, only the sufferer can hear it.

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Q. How is it treated
A. First, tests are carried out to make sure that the tinnitus is not being caused by a disease. Once that has been ruled out, it's case of learning to live with it. Gadgets can help: something which produces additional noise can mask tinnitus, as can hearing aids, which makes normal sounds louder. There is no drug treatment which can help without the risk of side-effects (except for those who have serious anxiety or depression with their tinnitus).

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Q. What about alternative treatments
A. The herb gingko biloba has been shown to improve blood circulation in the ear, and so help to diminish tinnitus. Other treatments that help include acupuncture, cranial osteopathy, homeopathy, relaxation techniques and yoga. It's a case of finding something which you find helpful.

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Q. Where can I find out more
A. Three useful sites are: British Tinnitus Association (BTA), RNID Tinnitus Helpline, and Tinnitus Action.

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By Sheena Miller