Tinnitus is an auditory disorder that can be merely a nuisance for some people or a debilitating problem that makes it almost impossible to function normally for others. About 40 million Americans currently suffer from it. Symptoms complaints can be hearing buzzing, ringing or other types of noises constantly. It has been compared to the phantom pain that some patients feel after an amputation.
According to researchers, it is caused by damage to the hair cells in the cochlea. The hair cells can become damaged as a result of exposure to loud noises over time. Auditory neurons then become overactive, creating imaginary noises, which are usually corrected by the limbic system and the thalamus, which regulates all sensory information. In patients with tinnitus, the sounds are not tuned out or corrected and instead are passed on to the cerebral cortex.
It can be tough to live with this disorder. You may find it hard to focus, and the noise, which is not like a normal sound, can trigger headaches and many other patient complaints. As the population ages, our society becomes noisier, headphones are turned up louder and soldiers are returning from loud warzones, researchers believe we will see even more of these cases and are looking for ways to combat the problem.
Some studies have shown that restoring the hair cells in the ear can alleviate the problem, but some researchers believe that the changes in the brain’s auditory pathways may also need to be reversed to fully address the phantom noise. An epilepsy drug has also shown promise in calming the hyperactive response and constant stimulation and preventing damage particularly after exposure to loud noises.
Neuroscientists have begun to use brain imaging and monitoring to identify the exact nature and location of the neurological changes involved. These studies evaluate both the auditory pathways and the non-auditory structures that regulate sensory input and emotional responses. Some evidence indicates that the response can be turned on and off, which is why the noises often occur intermittently. More research is needed in the future to find new ways to help sufferers and silence the racket without the need for more invasive measures.