Tinnitus/clinical Condition For Physiotherapist To Review

Tinnitus – Definition• Tinnitus is commonly described as ringing in the ears• It may also sound like roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing• Sounds can be heard in one or both ears or inside the head• The sound may be soft or loud, low-pitched or high-pitched• In some people, tinnitus causes anxiety, depression, or poor concentration Nature of Tinnitus• Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom• It results from various underlying conditions• One of the most common causes is noise-induced hearing loss• Other causes include ear infections, vascular disease, and neurological disorders Signs and Symptoms• Ringing noise (most common)• High-pitched whining or electrical buzzing• Hissing, humming, tinging, or whistling sounds• Clicking, ticking, roaring sounds• Beeping, sizzling, or steady pure tones• Whooshing sound resembling wind or waves• Can be intermittent or continuous Severity of Tinnitus• Rated from slight to catastrophic• Based on interference with: – Sleep – Quiet activities – Normal daily activities Other Associated Conditions• Fibromyalgia• Vasculitis• Hypertension• Migraine• Labyrinthitis• Eustachian tube dysfunction• Lyme disease Objective Tinnitus• Caused by self-sustained oscillations within the ear• Can arise from muscle spasms around the middle ear• May be heard by examiner using a stethoscope• Also called pseudo-tinnitus or vibratory tinnitus Pulsatile Tinnitus• Sound