Causes Of Tinnitus To Look Out For

Head Or Neck Injuries

Head or neck injuries may lead to particularly severe tinnitus. For example, concussions, whiplash, and other head or neck injuries caused by car accidents, falls, or contact sports are all commonly associated with the development of this disorder. Patients who have had a head or neck injury should seek immediate medical attention. Doctors will perform a physical exam, and ultrasounds, MRI scans, or CT scans may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis. Depending on the type of injury a patient has experienced, surgery and frequent follow-up care may be required. Patients with injuries to the head and neck often report more issues coping with the effects of their tinnitus in daily life as compared to patients whose tinnitus was not caused by an injury. They typically have issues with memory and concentration, and they may also have trouble sleeping and relaxing. Doctors believe injured patients with tinnitus likely experience more difficulties in their daily lives because their tinnitus has a more abrupt onset than generally occurs in other cases. Sound therapy and psychological therapy are thus especially important in helping patients with injuries learn to cope effectively with tinnitus.

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Inner Ear Muscle Spasms

Inner ear muscle spasms are a rare cause of tinnitus. While several muscles in the ear are vulnerable to spasms, the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles are the most common locations for the muscle spasms that produce tinnitus. Normally, the spasms are triggered by inflammation in the inner ear. Some patients with tinnitus who experience spasms of the ear muscles may have middle ear myoclonus, an especially rare form of tinnitus that affects an estimated six in every ten thousand individuals. Patients with this kind of tinnitus may benefit from the use of muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and zygomatic pressure. Surgical interventions such as a tympanostomy might be beneficial for some individuals. During a tympanostomy, a specialist inserts a tube into the tympanic membrane so the pressure on both sides of the membrane is equalized. This procedure is most often performed on children. Some studies suggest ear muscle spasms could be connected to high levels of anxiety and stress, and patients might be offered anti-anxiety medication to ease the spasms.

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