Tinnitus Symptoms
If you’ve been noticing a ringing, buzzing or other annoying sound that comes and goes, or is present at all times, you may have tinnitus. In some cases, people hear a slight ringing in their ear after attending a loud concert. However, if the sounds persist for more than a week, it is important to schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist, also known as an “ENT” specialist, for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan.
Tinnitus often comes on suddenly and without an apparent cause. The types of phantom sounds that you might hear with this condition include:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Whistling
- Swishing
The noises heard with this condition can vary in pitch. Some people hear a low roaring sound, for example. Others hear a high-pitched squeal that can interfere with their ability to concentrate on anything else.
If you are hearing noises that only you can hear, then you may have “subjective tinnitus,” which is the most common form of tinnitus. The problem can stem from auditory nerve disorders or a disorder that causes your brain to interpret signals from your nerves as sounds. Additional causes of subjective tinnitus include disorders in the inner, middle or outer ear.
Objective tinnitus occurs much less frequently, and is detected by an ENT specialist during an examination. This type of tinnitus can be caused by an inner ear bone or blood vessel problem.
Schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist in Sydney as soon as possible if you experience tinnitus symptoms after an upper respiratory infection. It is important to visit an ENT surgeon immediately if you experience dizziness or hearing loss in addition to the sounds associated with tinnitus. A specialist will be able to detect where the condition is originating from.