Tinnitus, the constant companion
Contrary to popular belief, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is not a disease of the ear, but a "software disorder in the cerebral cortex". A program in our brain filters unnecessary noises and sounds, if this fails, we hear a buzzing in our ears. Nothing proves this better than the fact that the hum remains even after complete deafness. Although this is a common phenomenon, it is a harmless symptom in 90% of cases. Only 5-10% of patients feel that they have to see a doctor after a while, because it is a problem for them in everyday life.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is usually a sound phenomenon well tolerated by the affected person, which can be subjective or objective. Subjective tinnitus is called of inner ear origin, in this case only the affected person can hear the noise, usually as a high-frequency chirping, ringing or whistling, continuous sound. But who would have thought that there is a sound phenomenon (e.g. soft palate tick) that can be heard not only by the patient, but also by those around him? This is called objective tinnitus, and the abnormal functioning of our muscles in the ear is responsible for the sounds perceived by others.
A misconception about tinnitus is that we perceive our own blood flow, this statement is only true in certain cases. If an excess of blood develops in the vessels in or around the temporal bone due to a blood pressure problem, it can indeed cause pulsating tinnitus, but this occurs relatively less often and is more difficult to treat.
What can cause the "permanent noise" in our heads?
Tinnitus is primarily caused by the events surrounding us that are often present in our everyday lives. This can be generated by damage to the ear, such as attending a concert or the noise pollution that affects us with the spread of headphones and earphones. Tinnitus without ear disease can develop after a stressful period, a death, or even a relationship problem. In such cases, it is worth involving a psychologist in the treatment. From a medical point of view, only 5-10% of patients experience a deterioration in the quality of life, and although the hum does not cause irreversible damage, the latter patients still require regular treatment.
To wash or not to wash?
The concept of "correct ear cleaning" is unknown to otolaryngologists. Our ear is a self-cleaning organ that does not need to be cleaned with a stick, a clip, or a match. The biggest enemy of the ear is soapy water, which by changing the pH reduces the resistance of the skin of the ear canal against infections, so there is no need to wash it off. Ear cleaning, which is a bad habit, has nothing to do with tinnitus.
If you have similar complaints, you can book an appointment for a specialist examination via our telephone customer service at +36 1 790 7070 or online!
Get to know our otolaryngologists:
Dr. Magdolna Bánki
Dr. Miklós Tóth