Are you going mad with that tinnitus in your ears? Discover whether your tinnitus is inherited or what the cause might be.
What is tinnitus?
A ringing, buzzing, or droning in the ears with no external cause of the sound is a condition called tinnitus. The direct translation of the word tinnitus is”ringing like a bell”.”
How will tinnitus affect my daily living?
Tinnitus can be annoying and can interrupt intimate interactions. It isn’t a disease in and of itself, but it’s a symptom of other conditions or conditions in your life including hearing loss or damage. You may hear tinnitus in one ear or both ears and it can hinder your ability to concentrate.
Regardless of the way in which you’re experiencing tinnitus, it is always bothersome. Sleep loss, anxiety, and even depression can also be caused by tinnitus symptoms.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be persistent or temporary. Short term types of tinnitus are typically brought on by extended exposure to loud noises, like a rock concert. There are a few medical issues that tend to go hand-in-hand with tinnitus.
A few of the conditions that might play host to tinnitus include:
- Hearing impairment related to aging
- Meniere’s Disease
- Acoustic neuroma where a benign tumor forms on the cranial nerve running from the inner ear to the brain
- Buildup of excessive earwax
- Trauma to the neck or head
- Injuries that impact nerves of the ear
- Exposure to loud noise for prolonged periods of time
- Depression or anxiety
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) related to a TMJ disorder
- Inner ear infections
- Changes in the composition of the ear bone
- Inner ear cell damage and irritation of the delicate hairs used to conduct sound, causing arbitrary transmissions of sound to your brain
- Various medications
Could I have inherited this ringing in my ears from my parents?
Generally, tinnitus isn’t a hereditary condition. However, your genes can play a part in this condition. For instance, ear bone changes that can result in tinnitus can be passed down. Irregular bone growth can cause these changes and can be passed down through genes. A few of the other conditions that can cause ringing in the ear may be passed down from your parents, including:
- Predisposition to anxiety or depression
- Being prone to inner ear infections or wax build-up
- Certain diseases
The ringing in your ear is not directly inheritable, but you might have been genetically predisposed to the disorders that are breeding grounds for tinnitus.
If you have a history of tinnitus in your family, it’s truly in your best interest to make an appointment with us so we can evaluate your hearing.