Edmonton Hearing Clinic

Yes, exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. Prolonged or repeated exposure to loud noise, such as music concerts, construction sites, or loud machinery, can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to tinnitus. The damage to the hair cells can be temporary or permanent, and in some cases, can also result in hearing loss.

It’s important to protect your ears from loud noise to prevent tinnitus and hearing loss. This can include wearing earplugs or earmuffs in noisy environments, taking breaks from noise, and keeping the volume of personal listening devices at a safe level. If you already have tinnitus due to noise exposure, seeing an audiologist is important to determine the severity and potential underlying causes and receive appropriate treatment.

If you experience tinnitus, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Tinnitus can be a symptom of a stroke, but it is not common. When a stroke occurs, blood flow to the brain is disrupted, which can result in various symptoms, including tinnitus. This happens when the stroke affects the part of the brain that processes sound. However, it is important to note that most people who experience tinnitus do not have an underlying medical condition.

Yes, a head injury is a common cause of tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition that causes individuals to perceive sound that is not present in the environment. The damage to the auditory system resulting from head injury can lead to abnormal signals being sent to the brain, which can trigger the perception of tinnitus. The severity and type of head injury can determine the likelihood of developing tinnitus, with more severe injuries such as skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries carrying a higher risk. Tinnitus caused by head injury can be temporary or permanent, and its symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

Yes, tinnitus can be caused by an infection. Infections that affect the ear, such as otitis media (middle ear infection) or otitis externa (outer ear infection), can cause tinnitus as a symptom. Infections that affect other parts of the body, such as sinusitis or meningitis, can also cause tinnitus as a secondary symptom.

In some cases, tinnitus can be caused by a viral infection, such as herpes simplex virus or cytomegalovirus. These viruses can damage the auditory nerves or other parts of the ear, leading to tinnitus. In rare cases, tinnitus can also be caused by a bacterial infection, such as Lyme disease.

It’s important to note that while infections can cause tinnitus, there are many other possible causes of tinnitus as well, such as exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions. If you’re experiencing tinnitus, it’s important to see an audiologist to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.