Buzzing in the ears (Tinnitus Examination)
Tinnitus examination
What is tinnitus (ringing in the ears)?

The types of tinnitus are classified into:
Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) is the perception of sound by the patient's ear when there is no clear sound stimulus from the patient's environment. It is a symptom known since antiquity that has afflicted a large number of patients and requires investigation by an ENT specialist.
- Unilateral: in only one ear
- Bilateral: in both ears
- Non-pulsatile: continuous sound without rhythm
- Pulsatile: rhythmic sound usually resembling heartbeat
- Subjective: perceived only by the patient
- Objective: can be heard by the examiner
- Mild: heard mainly in quiet environments
- Severe: heard even in noisy environments
What affects tinnitus?
- Age: more common tinnitus in the age group of 50-70.
- Gender: more common in males
- Βαρηκοΐα: αυξάνονται ανάλογα με την σοβαρότητα της βαρηκοΐας
Where do they originate from?
The possible causes of tinnitus include a number of conditions, so we mention indicatively:
- Presbycusis
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Chronic otitis
- Meniere's disease
- Otosclerosis
- Eustachian tube blockage
- Head and neck injuries
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Antihypertensive medications
- Benign intracranial hypertension
- Carotid artery atherosclerosis
- Muscle spasm of the ear muscles
- Vascular abnormalities
- Acoustic neuroma
What should I do?
Tinnitus, as shown above, can be caused by something simple or something more serious. This is why you should visit an ENT specialist who will proceed to investigate the problem, which includes:
- Detailed history (onset time of symptoms, duration, accompanying conditions-disturbances)
- Clinical examination
- Otoscopic examination (otoscopy)
- Head and neck examination
- Auscultation of carotids-skull
- Audiological examination
- Imaging examination
Is there a treatment?
Treatment is individualized and based on the identification of the type of tinnitus. As general principles, at least for continuous tinnitus, the following are recommended:
- Protection from noise
- Avoiding caffeine - nicotine
- Anxiety control
- Sound masking
- Assessment of current medication regimen