Noise in the head and ears: causes, treatment, reviews. What pills help with noise in the head: a list

Tinnitus - a buzzing and ringing in the ears - is a common occurrence in urban residents. Constant noise in the head and ears - why does it occur and how to get rid of it? An overview can be found in the article below. And you will receive the exact answers to these questions at the reception from a specialist.

The human sound perception system is much more complex and ancient than the visual analyzer. Unfortunately, the margin of safety of auditory structures is not very high. The outer, middle and inner ear are at risk of inflammation and injury. The central regions responsible for recognizing and interpreting what we hear often suffer from vascular problems. There is also such a phenomenon, especially characteristic of adolescent music lovers and residents of large cities with their endless street noise, as overstimulation and fatigue of the auditory analyzer.

Any of the above causes normal work organ of hearing of a person, one of the symptoms of which is tinnitus, noise in the ears or head. On one or both sides, with or without pain, with or without dizziness.

We tried to collect the most relevant reasons for the development of tinnitus in a modern person, we have a separate article about this on the site.

And in the material below, we will talk about several options for the problem and how, by some signs, to recognize the cause of the unpleasant sensation of tinnitus. We hope this will help to quickly navigate, those people who need qualified help. At the Tinnitus Neuro clinic, we organize a full cycle - from examination and finding out the cause, what causes tinnitus before treating patients with tinnitus and tinnitus.

If it makes noise in the right ear without pain

Discomfort on one side - right or left - can be of a different nature:

  • Buzz.
  • Hiss.
  • Ringing.
  • Throbbing sound.
  • Quiet, background.

Most often, unilateral noises occur as a result of an injury to the skull in its corresponding part.

A painless feeling of fullness in the ear cavity or discomfort, hearing loss on the right or left can be the result of a sulfur plug, water ingress, a foreign object (a common case is insects, small debris during strong winds).

If you feel heaviness on one side, combined with sound manifestations inside, otitis media may begin. Any sensations that are unpleasant should alert you - if they persist for several days, you should consult a doctor.

Noise in the ears and head in the elderly

Noisy discomfort often occurs in elderly people, its cause may be the following phenomena:

  1. Decreased hearing acuity.
  2. Otosclerosis of the middle ear, neuritis.
  3. Atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the brain.

It’s not worth the noise that bothers you all the time, interferes with sleep, read and perform daily activities, write off age-related changes.

In old age, the auditory nerve begins to gradually lose its normal performance. If the doctor determines age-related changes, they are rarely treatable. In case of severe dysfunction of the ear apparatus, a special apparatus is prescribed, which will perform - partially or completely - the work of the ear.

Otosclerosis - a disease in which bone tissue grows in the area of ​​​​the ear labyrinth - such an anomaly gradually leads to deafness, can develop not only in adults, but also in adolescents and children.

The disease basically has a genetic predisposition, begins to progress for various reasons:

  1. Infectious pathology.
  2. Hormonal disorders.
  3. Pregnancy.
  4. Climax.
  5. endocrine disorders.

Under the risk of developing otoxlerosis are also those who are exposed to strong psychological, physical activity, has been in noise for a long time, suffers from Paget's disease, has various anomalies on the part of the auditory analyzer.

There are several types of this pathology:

  • Cochlear type - a capsule of cochlear bones falls under the lesion, as a result of which the inner ear cannot conduct signals supplied to the shell.
  • Fenestral - the anomaly touches the windows of the labyrinth.
  • Mixed - at the same time, the functions related to the reception and conduction of sound waves through the internal parts of the hearing aid are impaired.

According to the characteristics of the course, the disease can be active, sclerotic, transient, spasmodic, slow.

Atherosclerosis is a blockage of the vessels of the circulatory system by special plaques consisting of fat cells. As a result, blood circulation is disturbed or completely blocked, a direct consequence is the defeat of the internal organs associated with them.

The causes of the disease are factors:

  1. Congenital vascular anomalies.
  2. genetic predisposition.
  3. Chlamydial infection.
  4. Metabolic disorders - in terms of fat (lipid) metabolism.

Plaques most often begin to develop intensively after forty years, and in women - after menopause. That is, the older the person susceptible to the disease, the more affected the arteries.

Blood vessels overlap, the organ associated with them - more often the brain - is subjected to oxygen starvation. It is necessary to treat the disease as early as possible, without waiting for serious consequences.

Symptoms

The symptoms that accompany constant tinnitus depend on the causes and nature of the disease:

  1. Ear plug - a feeling of fullness inside, a sharp decrease in hearing.
  2. Otitis - shooting, aching pain in the ear cavity, general weakness, fever, discharge from the ear.
  3. Hypertension, atherosclerosis - dizziness, headache.
  4. Stenosis of the carotid artery - impaired consciousness, general weakness.
  5. Chemical type poisoning - nausea, diarrhea, headache.
  6. Head injuries (skull, brain) - dizziness, nausea.
  7. Neuritis - hearing loss.
  • Blood - serological, biochemical, hormone levels.
  • Urine is a common indicator of inflammation in the body.

Based on the data received from the laboratory, the patient is sent for diagnosis using instrumental techniques:

  • X-ray of the skull.
  • Brain computed tomography.
  • Weber test.
  • Dopplerography of cerebral vessels;

Treatment

The data obtained help to establish the nature of the disease and draw up a program to restore the body. Treatment activities will include:

  • Taking medication.
  • Passage of rehabilitation procedures.
  • If necessary, surgical intervention.

Let us help you solve any problem!

The Tinnitus Neuro Medical Center accepts patients with diseases of various degrees for treatment. A highly professional team of doctors will help you cope with the most difficult problems in the field of hearing - we guarantee results at a reasonable price. You can get all the necessary information on our website, by phone or at a consultation.

Some people have a condition when they begin to be disturbed by ringing in the ears and head, the cause of this phenomenon can mean a serious illness. In medical practice, such conditions are referred to as disorders of the brain, which, receiving various kinds of external stimuli, reacts to it in its own way. One of these manifestations is ringing in the head.

The danger of this condition lies in the fact that the unpleasant manifestations that are observed in the area of ​​​​the senses, ringing in the ears and various noises can have a very negative effect on mental state person. His behavior may be disturbed, mental and physical performance may decrease. Against this background, disturbances in the work of many vital organs can occur.

The main reason why a person may have various noises is nerves. An irritating factor of any origin, affecting nerve cells in the ears, gives an impetus to the fact that the brain begins to perceive this irritation as an unfamiliar sound.

Stressful situations, any emotional outburst in the presence of adrenaline in the blood provokes noise in the head or ringing in the ears. Often, along with such symptoms, there is a short-term hearing loss, which may appear as a result of physical and psychological overwork, neurosis.

In some cases, dullness of consciousness may occur without loss of control over oneself. In some cases, such failures can be normalized with a short rest or sleep, but there are situations when serious treatment is required.

Having an ear plug or listening to loud music often can also cause tinnitus. But these factors are quickly eliminated. Quite often, noise can occur when there is a difference atmospheric pressure or a sharp decrease or increase blood pressure. The reason for the appearance of noise in the ears or head can be an allergic reaction of the body to an overdose of medications, which occurs in an acute form, a lack of B and E vitamins, potassium and manganese in the body.

The cause of noise can also be hidden in progressive forms of diseases of the auditory organ, damage to the nerves and the inner ear. There are a number of disorders in the body that cause ear ringing:

  • hypertonic disease;
  • oxygen starvation;
  • anemia.

Spasm of cerebral vessels can provoke increased intracranial pressure, in which there is a pulsating noise in the ears. Blood enriched with oxygen stops flowing to the brain. In unison, the pulse begins to ring in the head from one side or the other. The cause of the noise may be a spasm of cerebral vessels. At the same time, coordination of movement is disturbed, it becomes difficult for a person to stand and sit, he feels sick.

With anemia, in addition to tinnitus, general weakness of the body, dizziness, flickering of midges before the eyes can be observed.

In children, ringing in the ears may be a concomitant phenomenon with some colds and infectious diseases. Children's rhinitis affects the ear apparatus, therefore, with some inflammatory processes, ringing in the ears is observed.

There are a number of diseases, among the symptoms of which it is mandatory to detect constant ringing in the ears or noise in the head:

  • stroke;
  • poor kidney function;
  • diabetes;
  • pathology of the vessels of the cervical vertebra;
  • atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol plaques localized inside the arteries of the brain can provoke intracranial hemorrhage and cause a stroke due to disturbances in blood flow, which causes tinnitus.

In most cases, malfunctions in the thyroid gland can demonstrate extraneous noise. In addition, ringing in the ears and head can also be observed with iodine deficiency.

Due to a violation in the adrenal medulla of the production of the hormone adrenaline, which stimulates blood pressure, the work of the heart, which normalizes blood glucose levels, in case of kidney diseases, phenomena such as stuffy ears or tinnitus can occur.

A common symptom in a disease such as diabetes is ringing in the head or tinnitus. The pathology of the cervical vessels or cerebral vessels, caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, can also cause the presence of extraneous sounds. It compresses the artery. This impairs the blood supply to the brain and can cause ringing in the ears.

In old age, many people have a violation of the auditory nerve, which leads to tinnitus and ringing in the head from one side to the other. In chronic heart diseases that occur after the age of 50-60 years, it does not provide proper blood circulation, as a result of which many systems and organs feel a lack of oxygen, which leads to their further slagging. This condition can cause ringing, tinnitus.

Only with the help of the diagnosis of an otolaryngologist, you can determine the cause of tinnitus and find out how to get rid of it. Based on an x-ray examination of the brain and cervical vertebra, the doctor determines the picture of the disease that provoked the discomfort.

In some cases, to get rid of tinnitus, drugs are prescribed that improve blood circulation in the brain, neurometabolic stimulants that normalize memory. Having established the root cause of the noises, the doctor analyzes them and prescribes appropriate medications. If ringing in the ears is accompanied by vegetovascular dystonia, general strengthening drugs that increase the protective properties of the body are prescribed. Special mode is also recommended.

With frequent headaches that cause ringing in different parts of the head, vitamin therapy and treatment with drugs that improve cerebral circulation are indicated: Cinnarizine, Piracetam. With hypertension, drugs are prescribed that block the action of adrenaline. With stenosis of the cervical vertebrae effective treatment is the use of minimally invasive surgery that restores bleeding through the vessels.

Osteochondrosis cervical of the spine, which is the cause of tinnitus, is eliminated with the help of complex therapy. Tranquilizers (Gidazepam, Phenazepam), antidepressants (Doxepin and its other analogues), mild sleeping pills are prescribed. It is contraindicated during the treatment period to take caffeinated tonic drinks and take aspirin.

For the treatment of the causes of noise in the head in some diseases, alternative medicine methods with the use of medicinal herbs are effective.

With atherosclerosis, ringing in the head and ears is treated with mountain ash. It is recommended to prepare a composition that is used in several courses, for 30 days three times a year. To prepare it, you need to keep 200 g of rowan bark in a water bath in 500 ml of boiling water, without boiling. Cool down. Take 3 tbsp. spoon half an hour before meals.

Atherosclerosis, accompanied by ringing in the ears, is treated with clover infusion: 2 tbsp. spoons of clover pour 1.5 cups of boiling water, insist. Take half a glass half an hour before breakfast. Then take the next half cup before lunch and the last one before bed.

Hearing loss, as a concomitant symptom with tinnitus, is treated with a course of 1-2 months with lemon balm and hawthorn. This recipe should be used carefully by people with low blood pressure. Brew two tablespoons of lemon balm with a glass of boiling water, strain. Take half a glass 4 times a day. Hawthorn tincture normalizes blood pressure.

An effective treatment for headache and ear ringing is Bay leaf. Ten grams of the leaf insist in 60 ml of sunflower oil, strain. Bury three drops in the ear.

Finely chop all the components of the dill, pour boiling water over it and insist for an hour. Drink half a glass before meals for two months.

Treatment with a mixture of propolis tincture and minced garlic can achieve good result if you rub it into the ears. Pass two hundred grams of garlic through a meat grinder, put in a glass vessel and pour 200 ml of alcohol or high-quality vodka. Infuse for two weeks. Strain, add 30 g of propolis tincture and two tablespoons of honey. Take the resulting product with milk half an hour before meals three times a day. You need to start with 1 drop and each time add one more, bringing up to 25 drops per day.

Help with symptoms with ringing in the ears drops from boiled beet juice, baked onion juice.

Iodine solution helps to get rid of noises if taken with milk 1 time per day. For the mixture, it is necessary to drip 1 drop of iodine into 150 ml of milk. The next day, 2 drops and so on, adding up to 10 drops. Then reduce the number of drops by 1 every day. After a ten-day break, continue the procedure. So continue two courses.

In a 2:1 ratio (grape vinegar and water), mix the ingredients. Boil the mixture. When the steam leaves a little, you can carry out ear inhalations, tilt your ear over the steam. Do 20 procedures.

Healing infusion of European Drakva will help get rid of tinnitus of various origins. Ten grams of Drakva tubers pour 100 ml of alcohol. Insist in a dark place for 10 days. The tincture should be shaken periodically. Strain. Take daily three times a day, 15 drops, diluted in 150 ml of boiled water.

If the cause of ringing in the ears is an inflammatory process, it is necessary to instill them with onion juice mixed in equal proportions with honey and aloe juice. Do the procedure twice. If the mixture causes a burning sensation in the ear, you can add a little boiled water.

A mixture in equal proportions of crushed viburnum and honey must be put in gauze bags and put into the ears at night. In the complex you can drink tea with viburnum. Clusters of berries must be picked after the first frost, then they healing properties are much stronger.

Preventive actions

Ringing and buzzing in the head and ears can cause temporary hearing loss. To prevent this phenomenon, certain hygiene rules should be followed.

You need to try to be less likely to be in places with strong sound exposure. You can wear headphones or use earplugs. This will not only relieve discomfort, but also save you from unpleasant consequences.

Some medications may cause side effect accompanied by ringing or tinnitus. Before using medicines, it is necessary to study the instructions for its use. If such symptoms occur, urgent measures must be taken to eliminate them.

The auditory system can be made sensitive to loud sounds and absolute silence. You should not seek permanent solitude in places where it is very quiet. The hearing aid must learn to respond to different vibrations of sounds, but this must be done gradually, increasing the sound load on the ear system.

To improve blood circulation, which is the main cause of brain disorders that contribute to the appearance of unwanted noise, it is necessary to get rid of the habit of excessive consumption of animal fat, fatty meat, salt and spices. Do not abuse the intake of alcohol, coffee, strong tea. The diet should include foods such as fish, garlic, olive oil, liver.

Perfectly help in getting rid of the discomfort associated with ear and head noises, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises.

Only an otolaryngologist can help identify and eliminate the problem, so in no case should you engage in self-treatment.

Noise in the head and in the ears experienced, probably, every person. Patients describe it as squeaking, ringing, buzzing and other unpleasant sensations. Such a condition rarely occurs for physiological reasons and is more often a warning symptom that requires a more careful attitude to one's health and specialist advice.

In the human body are constantly working internal organs and life processes do not stop. During this, somatic sounds arise, which are normally not audible, as they are interrupted by the noises of the external environment. However, under certain conditions, somatic noises become more distinct. A buzz in the head can be caused by:

  • heightened perception of internal sounds (heartbeat, breathing, etc.)
  • the appearance of noises that are absent in the norm
  • amplification of standard body noises

In pathological conditions, some noises are heard even by a nearby person. More often, however, sounds in the head and ears are subjective and occur in disorders that are accompanied by vibration or mechanical contraction. This internal noise is called the term tinnitus, which is used regardless of how the patient describes their discomfort. Tinnitus is not a diagnosis, but a symptom that can occur with many diseases.

According to various classifications, noise can be:

  • Objective (heard by medical instruments) or subjective (only the patient hears)
  • The main symptom (with ear diseases) or additional (manifestation of other pathologies)
  • low frequency or high frequency

Depending on the intensity, the manifestation of a symptom is classified into stages:

  1. Quiet sound, no discomfort
  2. Weak noise that irritates the patient
  3. Constant sound interfering with sleep and rest
  4. Loud noises that cause aggressiveness and disability

Symptoms

The standard description of tinnitus is "tinnitus". However, in addition to ringing, the patient may experience a sensation of creaking, rustling, buzzing, water noise, crackling, rustling, humming. At the same time, the patient may complain of increased sensitivity to sound or, conversely, hearing loss. Sometimes the symptom occurs in one ear, sometimes in both at the same time. When the underlying cause is removed, the discomfort disappears.

Causes

Ringing in the ears occurs for a variety of reasons. Some of them are temporary disorders that can go away on their own. Others are anatomical or functional pathologies (often structures of the vestibular apparatus or brain). Depending on the cause of the noise, it may be the only discomfort or one of several unpleasant symptoms.

The causes of objective noise (which can be heard by others) are more often muscular and vascular dysfunctions. The latter are characterized by a change in the intensity of sounds, their combination with the pulse and intensification with an increase in blood pressure. In neuromuscular disorders, the noise is not related to the pulse and is more like crackling.

The cause of subjective noise is often a lesion of the hearing aid. The mechanism of formation of uncomfortable sounds is the activation of the auditory analyzer after any damage in the body. Activation manifests itself in the form of spontaneous excitation, as a result of which the nerves transmit a sound signal to the brain. Since information recognition does not occur, the brain perceives such impulses as a danger. Because of this, many patients become emotionally tense and experience anxiety at the first sign of such noise.

Pathologies of blood vessels and nervous tissue

Pathologies of the structure or dysfunction of cerebral vessels are one of the leading causes of tinnitus. Often the root cause is atherosclerosis of the arteries or their excessive spasm. Due to vasoconstriction, there are obstacles to the movement of blood and its turbulence, and a person hears a ringing in his head.

Such diseases usually occur in a chronic form, so the symptom haunts the patient constantly. Over time, the intensity of the noise may increase, and the general condition and performance of the patient may deteriorate. Tinnitus is often accompanied by dizziness, cognitive impairment, and memory impairment. With vascular pathologies, the brain receives less oxygen, experiences starvation and functions worse, which negatively affects the quality of human life. In the absence of adequate treatment, complications from the visual apparatus, a noticeable decrease in mental abilities and skin aging are possible.

Tinnitus is also present in vegetative-vascular dystonia, in which the vessels lose their tone and elasticity or spasm excessively. The further development of the pathology is similar to the previous one - insufficient nutrition of tissues leads to brain hypoxia, slowing down of nervous activity and a deterioration in the quality of life of the patient. Along with the noise, the person often experiences dizziness and loss of coordination.

Under the influence of psychotraumatic factors, some people develop neurosis or other mental disorders, which are accompanied by somatic and vegetative disorders. In such conditions, the sensitivity of the hearing aid increases, as well as disturbances in the conduction of nerve impulses. The result is a fixation of attention on normal mechanical noises and their distinct audibility.

Anemia

At first glance, the connection between noise in the head and anemia is not obvious. However, anemia is a symptom of many diseases that are accompanied by oxygen starvation - one of the main causes of tinnitus.

A decrease in the amount of hemoglobin leads to hypoxia of tissues and organs, including the brain. Prolonged oxygen starvation disrupts brain function, contributes to the appearance of general weakness, dizziness, and a drop in blood pressure. Anemia is a secondary condition that occurs against the background of other diseases. Noise in the head appears as a result of anemia. You can suspect a problem by a combination of symptoms:

  • headache
  • noise in ears
  • shortness of breath and tachycardia
  • weakness and fatigue
  • dizziness
  • pale skin

Such conditions require urgent treatment, as they subsequently lead to serious and even irreversible changes. Anemia is easily diagnosed after a blood test.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Blood provides the brain nutrients and oxygen. It enters through the arteries that go through the channels of the cervical spine. Here, some patients find spasms or squeezing of blood vessels. If there is a violation of the supply of oxygen to the brain, a person feels hypoxia and obsessive tinnitus.

The most common cause of poor blood supply is osteochondrosis - a condition of degenerative disorders in the intervertebral discs. The changed structure and shape of the disc leads to an incorrect location of the cervical spine and squeezing of the vessels. Accompanying symptoms are often numbness of the fingers, pain in the neck, dizziness. Osteochondrosis is difficult to treat and often remains with the patient for life.

With osteochondrosis, violations of the visual apparatus are possible in the form of the appearance of "flies" or a deterioration in the clarity of vision. A characteristic feature is increased discomfort when moving the head.

Alcohol and drug intoxication

Some drugs have a fairly strong ototoxic effect. Even with a short course of treatment, patients develop hearing loss. Be especially careful with antibiotics and NSAIDs. With chronic alcohol intoxication or with a one-time severe intoxication, toxic products that have entered the body affect the structures of the brain, which leads to hypoxia and a ringing sensation.

Endocrine pathologies

Often the causes of noise in the head are endocrine disorders, in particular problems with the thyroid gland and diabetes. The final diagnosis is made only after a complete examination of the patient and evaluation of the results of a blood test. Usually, treatment requires taking a course of iodine therapy, adjusting nutrition and paying attention to the psycho-emotional state.

In diabetes, patients experience hyperglycemia and metabolic disorders. Over time, this leads to impaired brain function, the appearance of irritability, sleep disturbance, pathologies of nerve conduction and pathological ringing in the head. One of the well-known complications of diabetes is hearing loss. The exact mechanism for the development of deafness is unknown, but it is believed to be related to damage to blood vessels and tissue malnutrition.

Diseases of the inner ear

Tinnitus can be caused by damage to the inner ear or the presence of infectious and inflammatory processes. Pathologies are congenital or acquired. Physical damage usually occurs in people whose occupations involve constant and loud noise, as well as in young people who listen to loud music through headphones for a long time.

Inflammatory processes lead to irritation of the structures of the middle and inner ear, due to which a person feels dizzy and hears noise. Meniere's disease is accompanied by an increase in the volume of internal fluid and pressure in the labyrinth. The first symptoms are the appearance of sounds, dizziness and autonomic disorders, and later progressive deafness occurs.

Pressure drops

Intracranial and normal hypertension are also accompanied by tinnitus. Additional symptoms here are nausea, pulsation in the temples, pain. Such conditions can be triggered by stressful situations, excessive physical activity, alcohol abuse or smoking.

A decrease in blood pressure can also cause ringing in the head. With a sharp spasm or a strong relaxation of the vessels, the blood supply to the brain is disturbed, which causes a feeling of pulsation and noise. Some people are sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure. In this case, ear congestion or noise can occur during an airplane flight, skydiving, and even changing weather conditions.

Possible Complications

Ringing in the ears always indicates some kind of disorder and should not normally appear in a healthy person. In the absence of adequate treatment, the pathological processes that occur with tinnitus can lead to the following complications:

  • emotional stress, which over time leads to irritability, nervousness and loss of efficiency
  • sleep disturbance
  • impaired memory and concentration
  • constant fatigue
  • deafness
  • progression of the underlying disease (spread of infection, heart problems, etc.)

Which doctor to contact

First, it is recommended to contact a therapist, pediatrician or otolaryngologist. The doctor will listen to the patient's complaints and prescribe the necessary tests, the results of which will determine the nature of the problem and send it to a specialist. After that, a neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, vertebrologist and other doctors can deal with the treatment, depending on the cause of the noise.

Diagnostics

In order for the diagnosis to be made correctly, the patient must tell the doctor all the accompanying symptoms and features of his lifestyle that may be important. It is important to remember cases of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of sensation in the limbs, the presence of stress factors, as well as the frequency of discomfort. The nature of the noise is also important (pulsating, monotonous, constant, hum, ringing).

During the examination, the doctor will try to hear the noise to determine if it is subjective or not. Additional examinations may include:

  • dopplerography
  • blood biochemistry
  • x-ray

The patient can undergo audiometry - determination of the threshold of hearing, as well as auscultation with a phonendoscope. Inspection of the outer part is carried out with an otoscope and allows you to identify structural features eardrum and outer ear.

Treatment

After a comprehensive examination and diagnosis, the patient will be observed by an appropriate specialist. Treatment is carried out in two directions:

  1. Eliminate noise sensations
  2. Therapy of the underlying disease

In addition to standard treatment, a responsible attitude of the patient himself is necessary. He should eliminate provoking factors as much as possible (physical and emotional overload, bad habits, loud music, and others).

Treatment, depending on the etiology:

  • At high pressure. Antihypertensive drugs, diuretics and drugs that improve metabolic processes in the heart are prescribed. Therapy is usually long-term, possibly for the rest of your life. With regular medication, the symptoms of tinnitus disappear, and the structure of the heart and blood vessels is restored.
  • Circulatory disorders. The root causes can be very different - from mechanical injuries to atherosclerosis. The patient is prescribed drugs to normalize blood pressure and relax the vascular wall (Nifedipine, Lisinopril, Verapamil). The main place is occupied by nootropic drugs that restore microcirculation in the brain, prevent hypoxia, promote the resorption of blood clots and the elimination of atherosclerotic plaques. In the appointment of doctors, Cinnarizine, Actovegin, preparations based on Ginkgo Biloba, Cavinton are often found. Cholesterol-lowering medications may also be prescribed.
  • Psycho-emotional experiences. Here, the main attention is paid to taking sedatives and drugs for vegetovascular dystonia. The clinical effect will be obtained at least a month after the start of treatment. Drugs should be taken regularly and for a long time.
  • Diseases of the inner ear. The otolaryngologist determines the nature of the pathological process and the nature of the pathogen. Depending on this, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antihistamines (to reduce swelling), antispasmodics (to dilate blood vessels) may be prescribed. With such pathologies, it is allowed local treatment if the disease is mild.

Prevention

  • Avoid loud sounds
  • Control blood pressure, exclude coffee, strong tea, alcohol, limit salt in dishes
  • Rest should be comfortable and complete
  • Don't listen to music with headphones
  • Do not worry about the emerging noise, so as not to psychologically increase anxiety
  • Minimize stress and unpleasant emotions

The sensation of noise in the head is a rather unpleasant symptom, behind which serious pathologies. If it does not stop or occurs repeatedly, it is impossible to postpone the visit to the doctor. To reduce the number of attacks or the severity of tinnitus, you need to avoid overwork, adjust your lifestyle and start therapy for the underlying disease as early as possible.

Video: 3 main causes of tinnitus and head noise

Update: October 2018

Many people during their lives face such a problem as excruciating loud noise in the head. Whatever it is - ringing, deaf, sharp, buzzing, squeaking, humming, crackling, rustling, the sound of the ocean, the howl of a siren - this is always a cause for concern for a person. Moreover, an unpleasant symptom greatly worsens the quality of life, makes it impossible to work normally. And if there is a constant noise in the head, the reasons can be the most serious.

Subjective noise in the head and ears is experienced differently by each patient. Many say that they sometimes have noises from time to time, other patients constantly feel extraneous sounds, but they hear them only at night or in silence, and which do not interfere with them at all, if they bother, then very slightly. Noises can be heard in both ears, in only one ear, or in the whole head. For some people, working capacity and life are significantly disrupted due to such discomfort.

The main causes of noise in the head and ears

There are a lot of reasons for the noise felt in the head, from banal fatigue, overwork to most dangerous diseases such as brain tumors. The main causes leading to an unpleasant symptom are identified, which we will discuss below, but you should not conduct an independent diagnosis and make a diagnosis for yourself - only a doctor is competent in this. So, with noise in the head, the following pathological conditions can be the causes of such discomfort:

  • Violation of the processes of perception, generation or transmission of nerve impulses in one or both auditory nerves. Such noise is characterized by monotony and causes hearing loss. The causes of such manifestations are head injuries, inflammatory processes ear and auditory nerve, altered cerebral blood flow.
  • Turbulent movement of blood flow in a constricted vessel. This noise is felt as pulsating, the intensity of manifestations depends on the indicators of blood pressure. The causes of noise are pathological narrowing of the blood vessels of the brain, blockage of blood vessels by atherosclerotic plaques.
  • Violations in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus, which is responsible for coordination and balance. Noise occurs against the background of a sharp change in body position, when turning the head, tilting.
  • Instability of the vertebrae of the cervical spine, when the vertebral processes press on the blood vessels. Such noise is persistent, a person gets used to it and may not go to the doctor for a long period of time.
  • Hypoxia of the brain caused by insufficiency of the cardiovascular system, cerebrovascular accident, volumetric formations in the brain (benign and malignant tumors).
  • Individual increased susceptibility to the auditory perception of the world. Such noises are based on neurotic states and neuroses, overwork, stress, and nervous tension.
  • Age regressive changes hearing aid and its innervation.
  • Reception of some medicines for treatment various diseases, in which noise in the head, in the ears acts as a side effect - cardiovascular drugs, anticancer drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics with ototoxic effects, etc. Intoxication with prolonged use or overdose of diuretics, quinine, salicylates.
  • About influence cell phones and electromagnetic radiation has been said for a long time, many studies confirm that the use mobile phones leads to headache, tinnitus, hearing loss, affect human reproductive function, even guilty of developing brain tumors. Cm. .

Now in the world, a new term is gaining popularity to refer to subjective noise in the head - Tinnitus, it is not just a symptom of any noise, ringing in the head or ears, but a whole range of problems that captures a person - social, mental, emotional.

About 5% of today's population of the planet suffer from chronic tinnitus, at first it occurs as an ordinary weak, quiet noise, ringing in the ears, then over time it intensifies, dominates, a person is forced to pay more and more attention to it, concentrates on it. As the noise increases, the patient's concentration on his disease also increases, the person is drawn into this vicious circle more and more.

Becoming a victim of tinnitus, a person experiences nervous strain for decades, which leads to insomnia, irritability caused by constant noise, a person cannot enjoy silence, he has inadequate fears, and concentration is disturbed.

In addition to these reasons, many diseases accompany noise in the head:

  • osteochondrosis (see)
  • chronic diseases of the middle ear
  • kidney, heart, circulatory disease
  • beriberi, iodine deficiency
  • temporal bone fracture, traumatic brain injury
  • benign brain tumor (acoustic neuroma)
  • Meniere's disease (see)
  • chronic and acute sensorineural
  • stroke ()
  • meningitis ()
  • chronic inflammatory processes,
  • abnormal thyroid function
  • diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases
  • intoxication with antibiotics (toxic to the auditory nerve), anticancer drugs, quinine, diuretics, salicylates
  • age-related hearing loss
  • heart and circulatory diseases,
  • kidney pathology
  • diseases of the central nervous system
  • schizophrenia
  • traumatic brain injury

From what has been written above, it becomes clear that the causes of noise in the head are various pathological conditions of the body. To get rid of an unpleasant symptom, its cause should be eliminated, and it makes no sense to act on the noise itself. The search for the causes of noises in the head and ears should begin as early as possible and should be carried out not only by an otorhinolaryngologist, but also by other specialists: a neurologist, osteopath, cardiologist, endocrinologist, psychotherapist.

Diagnosis of pathological noises

When a doctor hears a patient's complaints about noise in the head or ears, at the first stage of diagnosis, he must exclude or confirm the presence of organic lesions of the departments and structures of the brain and hearing aid. After clarification of the anamnesis, a plan of diagnostic measures is formed. The main volume of necessary examinations:

  • General and narrow blood and urine tests

There may be high hemoglobin and red blood cells in the blood, indicating an increase in blood viscosity, which indicates a tendency to thrombosis. A decrease in red blood values ​​is characteristic of anemia, which, due to tissue hypoxia, can provoke noise in the head. High ESR is evidence of an oncological or bacterial process, including in the ear, brain. Changes in the leukocyte formula may indicate infectious or tumor processes. High blood sugar may indicate diabetes. Which affects vessels of different calibers, including cerebral ones. Blood biochemistry gives an idea of ​​the atherosclerotic process in the body (atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels), anemia, disorders of the liver and kidneys, etc.

  • EEG - excludes foci of convulsive readiness, which can provoke noise in the head as an aura before epileptic seizures.
  • ECHO-EG is an ultrasound screening method for detecting pathological changes in the brain.
  • Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain

These modern techniques make it possible to detect the slightest changes in the structure of the brain and inner ear. But to a greater extent, they are prescribed to exclude a possible tumor formation, which can be less than a millimeter in diameter if located on the auditory nerve. These are by far the most accurate methods for diagnosing the causes of noise in the head.

  • MRI of the cervical spine

This diagnostic technique allows you to identify changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves.

  • Vascular angiography

Angiography of vessels supplying the brain and cervical spine. The technique makes it possible to detect pathological vasoconstriction and atherosclerotic lesions of the walls of the vascular bed.

  • Audiogram, the recording of which allows you to determine the acuity of auditory perception in both ears.
  • Hearing test. The technique allows you to determine the speed of electrical impulses passing from the inner ear to the brain.

In each case, the patient may be assigned additional studies. But, sometimes only one or two diagnostic methods are enough to make an accurate diagnosis. If the cause of the noise is not in the head, organs and systems are examined, the pathological conditions of which can provoke the occurrence of such a symptom.

With the exclusion of chronic and acute pathologies, the patient is referred to a psychotherapist, since the causes of noise in the head or ears can also be conditions such as depression, obsessions, etc.

How to treat noise in the head?

With noise in the head, the causes, treatment are based on the results of a thorough diagnosis. Of course, only a doctor can prescribe it, and the patient's task is to strictly follow this treatment.

If the cause of the noise is heart disease that changes blood flow, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive treatment to restore and support the cardiovascular system (hypotensive, vascular drugs, cardiac glycosides, etc.).

In case of violations in the work of the hearing aid associated with innervation, a course of drug treatment is prescribed in combination with and acupuncture. With an infection of the inner ear that causes noise in the head, treatment involves etiotropic antibiotic therapy.

Upon detection oncological process in the brain or structures of the inner ear, depending on the specific location and volume of the detected lesion, radiation therapy or surgical removal of the tumor is indicated. Both treatments are often used at the same time.

With constant noise in the head, the cause is often. Read about in our article. With atherosclerosis, long-term and complex treatment is required - statins, fibrates, sequesters of bile acids, vitamin therapy (see). A huge role is played by diet and the exclusion of bad habits (see).

How to treat noise in the head if the cause is problems of the cervical spine? This is corrected by manual therapy, medicamentous intake of vascular preparations, regular performance of a set of special exercises. Changes in the structure of the cervical vertebrae can be eliminated promptly, surgically. But in this case, the risks of the surgical intervention and the favorable outcome are always evaluated.

If neuroses and other problems from the field of neurology and psychotherapy are the basis of head noises, such patients are treated individually. Sometimes it's enough conservative treatment(psychotherapy, balneology, physiotherapy). If necessary, a complex of drug treatment is prescribed (sedatives, antidepressants, tranquilizers, anxiolytics, etc.).

In the hypoxic state of the brain, drugs are prescribed to improve cerebral circulation. For senile people, such drugs are prescribed for long-term, sometimes even permanent use.

Head noise prevention

General prevention of noise in the head includes the following areas:

  • Timely medical examination

Annual preventive medical examination in the amount necessary for each specific age group. The best treatment is prevention. Yes, and diseases detected at the initial stage are treated faster, more efficiently and cheaper.

  • Compliance with the rules of a healthy lifestyle

This includes a rational regime of work and rest, a healthy diet, and the absence of bad habits. An excellent prevention of noise in the head are regular walks in the fresh air. If you have to sit in a stuffy office all day, periodic airing of the offices is required once an hour for 10 minutes.

  • Regular intake of prescribed treatment in the presence of chronic pathology

This is especially true for hypertensive patients. Very often, patients, feeling well, abruptly stop taking medications, which in some cases are prescribed for lifelong use. And then follows a hypertensive crisis, and maybe even a stroke. Only the attending physician is competent to prescribe or cancel the drug.

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According to statistics, each of us during our lives may experience noise in the head or in the ears. It happens that the noise goes away on its own, but sometimes it persists for a long time and is a sign of a disease.

Types of noise

As you know, the human body "noises" - the heart works, blood vessels pulsate, muscles contract, joints move. However, normally we do not perceive these sounds. An audible, intrusive and unpleasant noise in the ears and head is considered a deviation from the norm.

A person can hear a ringing, rhythmic knock, pulsation, it can be similar to the noise of foliage or surf, whistle. The symptom can be constant and periodic, unilateral and bilateral.

An exception is the "perception of silence" in a healthy person - this is a specific constant noise that we can hear when we are in complete silence.

In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish two main pathological types of noise - subjective and objective.

Subjective noise only the patient hears. The reasons may be:

  • damage to the organ of hearing (for example, neurosensory hearing loss, sulfur plug, otitis media, otosclerosis);
  • various metabolic disorders (atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, etc.);
  • tumors of the cerebellopontine angle and temporal bone;
  • exposure to drugs (eg, salicylates, antihypertensive drugs);
  • spinal instability;
  • multiple sclerosis;
  • mental illness (we are talking about auditory hallucinations).

Objective noise hears not only the patient, but also the doctor when examined with a phonendoscope, and sometimes even the surrounding people. The most dangerous cause is vascular lesions - tumors from the vessels, anomalies in the structure and damage to large arteries and veins. Noise can also appear with intracranial hypertension.

Another cause of audible noise may be dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (clicks in the lower jaw when opening the mouth), clonus (contractions) of the pharyngeal muscles and the muscle that strains the eardrum (heard as rhythmic clicks in the ear).

If you hear noises in your head or in your ears, you need to see a doctor. At the appointment, be sure to tell the doctor about possible concomitant symptoms: hearing loss, dizziness, headaches, neck pain, sensitivity disorders, muscle weakness, etc.

Data on chronic diseases (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, etc.), as well as detailed description noise characteristics will help your doctor choose the right examination and treatment tactics. You may need to consult a neurologist, cardiologist, otolaryngologist, audiologist.

In most cases, an instrumental examination includes:

  • ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck to exclude atherosclerotic plaques, damage and anomalies in the development of blood vessels that can cause noise;
  • study of the organ of hearing using audiometry and tympanometry;
  • magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography if you suspect a tumor of the brain or bones of the skull.

Often this list is supplemented by heart examinations (cardiogram, ultrasound), radiography of the cervical spine. Examination can be expanded if there is doubt about the diagnosis.

Treatment

Usually, treatment of the underlying disease leads to a decrease in the severity or to the cessation of noise. In most cases, drug therapy and physiotherapy help to noticeably improve well-being and cope with the underlying disease. Surgical intervention for noise in the head is rarely resorted to - fortunately, tumors of blood vessels and the brain are far from the most common disease.

However, do not forget that the noise in the head is still a symptom of some disease, possibly serious, so you should definitely seek medical help.

Be healthy!

Maria Meshcherina

Photo istockphoto.com

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