In searching for the cause of tinnitus, remember there is seldom a single cause for any health problem. It is important to consider cofactors, direct and indirect causative agents and various life situations that fit together in a person's life like pieces of a puzzle. Since tinnitus is the topic of this discussion, each potential cause of tinnitus - by itself - might not be sufficient to bring about this problem.

However, when evaluated as a whole, a more complex and multi-layered interplay of small and large causes for a case of tinnitus becomes apparent.

Several possible causes can combine and interact; together they can start a complex and unique health problem, like tinnitus, that could not be initiated by any one of them alone.

Common medical causes of tinnitus

There are typically two basic medical explanations for the cause of tinnitus. First, tinnitus can occur as an end result of another health problem like hearing loss or high blood pressure, so it can be merely a sign of a preexisting problem that is actually more serious. The other is that tinnitus can often be a symptom of almost any ear disorder, including: For example, any problem from an ear infection, to Meniere's disease, or a perforated ear drum to a sinus infection, or a ear canal blocked by ear wax to a tumor of the middle ear, or cervical spine osteoarthritis to severe weight loss due to excessive dieting, or chemical damage to ear (aspirin, caffeine, alcohol, antibiotics, barbiturates, quinine, NSAIDS (motrin, naproxen, Relafen), Lipitor, Lasix and other "loop" diuretics, etc.). Tinnitus is a potential side effect with 200+ prescription and nonprescription drugs. In this type of tinnitus, it usually disappears when the underlying chemicals or drugs are reduced or stopped.

In addition, less common causes of tinnitus can arise as a consequence to other disorders: anemia, heart and blood vessel disorders (hypertension, arteriosclerosis), tumor of the auditory nerve, or low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism). For sensitive individuals, whose number might be actually quiet high, the mercury found in common amalgam dental fillings can be the cause of chronic tinnitus. Noises in the ear could also be the signal of being overwhelmed with stress and work.

Exercise can also be a cause of tinnitus by creating micro-injury to the ear mechanism, resulting in abnormal auditory function. The New England Journal of Medicine in February 1991 stated that a common and insidious cause of tinnitus was the repetitive, powerful and sudden jarring force of contact sports and high-impact exercise.

As part of the natural aging process, deterioration of the cochlea and related reduced hearing ability due to old age (presbycusis) can also be a cause of tinnitus. And lastly, although not entirely clear to medical researchers, but explained on the Tinnitus Treatment Institute website, the ongoing daily stresses associated with the activities of daily living can start and worsen tinnitus.

The Tinnitus Treatment Institute has long recommended that anyone suffering from tinnitus should undergo active Alternative Medicine treatment following the therapy guidelines suggested throughout its website.

The Tinnitus Treatment Institute specializes in using safe and effective Alternative Medicine therapies to assist healing and repair related to those who suffer from constant ear noises. For additional information go to http://www-tinnitus-treatment-institute.com