Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears, like a soft or loud clicking, roaring, buzzing, and hissing. You can hear this sound in either one or both ears. It is not a disease, but it can be a sign of some issue with your auditory system. This noise is not external, and other people can’t hear it. It is a common issue that affects many people worldwide and is typically prevalent in older adults.

Symptoms of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Tinnitus is mainly the ringing in the ears, which might also include noises like buzzing, clicking, roaring, humming, and hissing. Sometimes, the sound that you hear is so loud that it interferes with your ability to concentrate or hear external sound. This sound may be a persistent one or can also come and go.

When should you see a doctor?
It is seen that people tend to ignore tinnitus. But for some people, it disrupts their daily lives, which is when they feel the need to get in touch with their doctor. You should see a doctor when-

If you have an upper respiratory infection such as a cold or sinus, which is why you have developed tinnitus.
You cannot hear outside noises because of the internal noise in your ear, or you feel dizziness with the tinnitus.
When you feel anxious or depressed as a result of tinnitus.

What are the common causes of tinnitus?
There are many health conditions that can trigger tinnitus and make the situation worse for you. Though the exact cause is still unknown, there are many other reasons for tinnitus.

Ear infection
You might feel that your ear canal is blocked because of a build-up of fluid or ear infection, dirt, or earwax. There can be a blockage in your ear that can cause tinnitus. If your ears don’t flush away the accumulation of wax, it can also lead to ringing or hearing loss.

Hearing loss
When your ear receives sound waves, there are tiny and delicate hair cells in your inner ears that move from one place to another. Because of such movements, electrical signals from your ears to the brain are triggered. These signals are understood as sound by your brain. If the hair inside your ears is bent, random electrical impulses are leaked into your eyes, which further causes tinnitus.

Treatments
Sometimes, even certain treatments can make tinnitus worse. Usually, higher doses of these treatments worsen your condition. These can be cancer treatments, antidepressants, antimalarial treatments, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatments.

Ear bone changes
When the bone in your middle ear becomes stiff, it can also affect hearing and cause tinnitus.

TMJ
If you have problems with your jaw or TMJ (the joint on the side of your head in front of your ears), you can develop tinnitus.

Muscle spasms
When the muscles in your inner ear tense up, it can also result in hearing loss and a feeling of fullness in the ears. This can also be caused due to neurologic diseases, which also include multiple sclerosis.

Meniere’s disease
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that is caused by abnormal inner ear fluid pressure. Tinnitus can also be an early indicator of this disease.

Blood vessel disorders
Sometimes, some conditions such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc., affect your blood vessels and can cause blood to move through your veins and arteries with more force. This blood flow change can also be a reason for tinnitus.

Complications due to tinnitus
The ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, can affect people differently. For some people, it can also affect their quality of life, and for others, it can take a toll on their mental health too. Some of the common complications that people face with tinnitus are stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, sleep disorder, lack of concentration, memory loss, headaches, problems at work, and no family life.

Treatment
There are various tinnitus treatments, and some of them are-

Sound-based therapies
Prescribed treatments
Lifestyle changes
Hearing aids

Tinnitus can be prevented if detected on time. You should take certain precautions if you feel that you are facing hearing issues. You should not expose yourself to environments with loud music, you can even use hearing aids, and you should limit your intake of caffeine, nicotine, and spirits. Regular exercising, eating right, and taking steps to keep your blood vessels healthy can also help prevent tinnitus.