Tinnitus affects as many as 40 million adults in the United States. Tinnitus is hearing ringing, buzzing, or other sounds, in one or both ears, or in the head, without external cause. It is defined as either objective or subjective. In objective tinnitus, the doctor can hear the sounds, as well as the patient. Objective tinnitus is typically caused by tumors, turbulent blood flow through malformed vessels, or by rhythmic muscular spasms. Most cases of tinnitus are subjective, which means that only the patient can hear the sounds.

Subjective tinnitus is frequently associated with hearing loss. About 90% of patients have sensorineural hearing loss; 5% suffer from conductive hearing loss; 5% have normal hearing. The causes of subjective tinnitus include:

• Impacted ear wax
• Ear infections
• Hardening of the structures of the inner ear
• Hearing loss related to age or excessive noise
• Ototoxic medications, including aspirin, quinine, some diuretics, heavy metals, alcohol, and...