Tinnitus: An Issue of Otolaryngology Clinics

Tinnitus is a disorder wherein a person experiences noises such as ringing, hissing, or clicking in one or both ears. This noise is not caused by an external sound. Tinnitus is quite common and generally observed in older adults. The noise experienced may be loud or quiet, continuous or intermittent, and some individuals are unaffected by it. However, other people become highly disturbed by it, especially when they are fatigued or stressed. Tinnitus is generally considered a symptom of underlying health conditions rather than a disorder. The common reasons that lead to this disorder are noise-induced hearing loss, ear infections, disease of the heart or blood vessels, Ménière's disease, brain tumors, inner ear tumors, emotional stress and traumatic brain injury. The degree of hearing loss controls the level of concentration that may result in anxiety and depression in some cases. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is beneficial in the treatment of tinnitus. This book traces the progress of research on tinnitus and highlights its clinical aspects. It unravels the recent studies related to tinnitus. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.