00:09Have you ever heard ringing, buzzing, humming or even a heartbeat sound in your
00:16ears when everything around you was quiet? This condition is known as tinnitus
00:22and while it's often described as ringing, not all tinnitus sounds the same
00:28and the type of sound you hear can give us clues to the underlying sound. Tonight on
00:34House Call we're discussing the different types of tinnitus and what they may mean.
00:40Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. It can affect one ear or both
00:48ears. It can be constant or it can come and go. The most common type is ringing, buzzing or hissing
00:56sound. This is usually linked to hearing loss, aging, prolonged exposure to loud noises or damage
01:05to the delicate hair cells within the inner ear. Secondly, pulsatile tinnitus. This can sound like
01:13a heartbeat or whooshing sound in time with your pulse. Unlike other forms of tinnitus, pulsatile
01:21pulsatile tinnitus is usually caused by disruption in blood flow, uncontrolled high blood pressure,
01:28narrowing or stiffening of the blood vessels and rarely changes within the blood vessels of the inner
01:35ear. Because this type of tinnitus can sometimes be linked to serious underlying conditions, it should
01:42always be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Thirdly, clicking sounds. Some people hear repetitive
01:50clicking noises. This may be caused by muscle spasms of the inner ear or soft palate or problems involving
01:58the jaw joint, known as the temporomandibular joint or TMG. Lastly, roaring or low-pitched noises.
02:06Roaring or low-pitched noises are sometimes associated with Meniere's disease. An inner air disorder that is
02:14also associated with hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in the air and vertigo. Other possible causes of
02:23tinnitus are air wax buildup, air infection, certain medications such as antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs,
02:32and high-dose aspirin, head or neck injuries and less commonly tumors that affect the hearing nerve.
02:41You should seek medical attention if tinnitus occurs suddenly, affects one ear, is associated with
02:49dizziness, hearing loss, severe headache or facial weakness or if it is you hear a pulse sound that goes
02:57in time with your heartbeat. Although tinnitus is frustrating, it is important to remember that it
03:04is a symptom and not a diagnosis. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step to the most
03:11appropriate treatment and protecting your hearing. It's Dr. Mariana Brown, the TV6 House Call.
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