What Causes Tinnitus
Tinnitus is often indicative of underlying conditions. According to the American Tinnitus Association, there are about 200 causes of tinnitus. [3] Some known causes are listed here but only a qualified physician can give you an accurate diagnosis. Do not self-diagnose.
Age-Related or Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Many people experience some form of hearing loss as they grow old. It usually starts around the age of 60 and is often bilateral. While there are several reasons this happens, some have to do with sensitive hair-like cells in the inner ear. [4]
The inner ears contain a group of hair cells that move when sound waves enter the ear. The motion of these cells sends electrical impulses to your brain via the auditory nerve. Your brain then interprets these impulses as sound.
These hair cells may suffer damage as you age or if you spend many years being exposed to loud sounds. A single exposure to traumatic noise can also cause this damage. When the cells break or bend due to these issues, they may begin sending random electrical impulses to your brain even when there is no external sound. This is known as tinnitus.