Sometimes, after a concert or going to a place where we expose ourselves to hearing sounds with a very loud volume, we can perceive a small noise that does not seem to come from anywhere and that only we are able to hear when we are finally in silence.
Positive World tells you more about this phenomenon that has happened to many of us at least once in our lives. Remember that if you notice something out of the ordinary, it is best to consult your doctor.
A noise of unknown origin
The feeling that there is a buzzing, hissing, or strange noise is known as tinnitus. It is a phantom perception of sound. It can also manifest itself as a roar or a snap, because each person is different and there are several factors that promote it. This symptom is generally short-lived and can be subtle or so intense as to make it difficult for us to hear a conversation. However, when this sensation has lasted too long or is chronically repeated, it can interfere with the daily life of the person who suffers it.
The cause of this strange hum
The tinnitus occurs because of lesions in small hair cells located in our inner ear. These cells form small villi near the cochlea that move according to the sound waves that reach the ear. The auditory nerve then perceives and interprets these waves as sounds. When these villi are injured, a wrong signal is emitted towards our brain, and that is why we hear stimuli that are not present.
Factors that can cause these sounds
These minor injuries to the inner ear can have a number of causes, including:
- The exposure to loud noises for a long time, such as a concert or construction, or listen to the speakers or headphones with high volume. In the first case, it is easy to recover and return to normal; However, in the second case, as it is a habit, the damage caused by excessive volume in the ear can become permanent.
- Earwax can also be the cause of tinnitus. An obstruction in the ear canal due to its accumulation or an infection can inflame it and even irritate the eardrum, causing this annoying imaginary sound.
- With age, we can gradually lose our sense of hearing, which in the long run can bring a constant buzzing or clicking sensation in people over 60 years old. Another cause can be variations in blood pressure.
- Head and neck injuries, and even excessive stress in this area, can lead to tinnitus. This is because both parts of our body are linked to hearing. When this is the source of the ringing, it usually occurs in only one ear.
- On the other hand, tinnitus can show a hardening of the ossicles of the middle ear (otosclerosis), as it is one of the main symptoms.
- When the temporomandibular joint (the point where the jaw meets the skull) suffers some alteration or injury, it can cause this symptom due to its proximity to the ear.
- This sensation, in more extreme cases, can be a sign of diseases such as Ménière's syndrome, a condition in the inner ear or vestibular schwannoma produced by a benign tumor that lodges in the skull.
- The use of medications such as acetylsalicylic acid, antidepressants, antibiotics, and diuretics can cause this symptom .
Ways to prevent tinnitus
If this sensation lasts for a long time and we perceive it with great intensity, it can affect our daily lives and cause fatigue, lack of concentration, irritability, sleep or memory problems.
For this reason, it is advisable to avoid very loud sounds, not to listen to the headphones at full volume and, if you go to a very noisy place, use earplugs to protect your ears. On the other hand, it is important to take care of cardiovascular health with a healthy diet and physical activity, since there is no specific treatment for this condition.
Do you remember having this feeling at any particular time? What did you think was due to this peculiar phenomenon of our body?