+65 6253 7296 What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present. It affects about 15 to 20 percent of people and is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder. For many patients in Singapore, tinnitus can be a source of significant anxiety and sleep disturbance.
Most of the time the cause is unknown. The reason for tinnitus of unknown cause has been postulated to be misfiring of electrical signals by the hearing nerve or brain. Tinnitus is usually not due to a dangerous condition. It may be caused by hearing loss from exposure to loud noises, impacted ear wax, ear infections, certain drugs, stress and inadequate sleep. Addressing the cause of the tinnitus, tinnitus medication, tinnitus counseling and a device to mask the sound of the tinnitus may help in some patients.
Although uncommon, tinnitus associated with hearing loss only in one ear or hearing loss that is more severe in one ear, may be due to a benign tumour on the nerve close to the brain. Tinnitus of a thumping nature (similar to your heartbeat) may be a sign of a vascular tumour (growth originating from a blood vessel) close to the inner structures of the ear.
Evaluation by an ENT specialist is crucial to rule out treatable causes. Dr. Gan provides a thorough assessment, including hearing tests (audiometry) to check for associated hearing loss. While there is often no “cure” for chronic tinnitus, management strategies such as sound therapy, counseling, and treating the underlying hearing loss with hearing aids can provide significant relief.
