Tinnitus is a medical condition in which a person hears sound without any external source. It is commonly experienced as ringing, buzzing, roaring, or clicking sounds in the ears. This article explains tinnitus in a simple and exam-oriented manner, covering its meaning, causes, symptoms, and treatment options. It also discusses a newly developed device and software designed to manage tinnitus through precise sound matching, personalised therapy, and disease-progress tracking. Additionally, the concept of cochlear implants is explained, highlighting their role in treating severe hearing loss. The topic is important for UPSC, State PCS, SSC, Banking, Railways, and other competitive examinations, especially in General Studies, Science & Technology, and Health sections.
Tinnitus: Meaning, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without any external source. Only the affected person can hear these sounds.
Causes of Tinnitus
- Age-related hearing loss
- Ear injury or infection
- Circulatory system disorders
- Long exposure to loud noise
Symptoms
- Ringing, buzzing, roaring, or clicking sounds
- Sleep disturbance
- Anxiety, depression, irritability
- Negative impact on mental health and social life
Treatment Options
- Hearing aids
- Sound-masking devices
- Medicines
- Behavioural and coping therapies
Newly Developed Tinnitus Management Device
- Works with supporting application software
- Precisely matches tinnitus sound and frequency
- Provides customised, multimodal treatment
- Tracks disease progression for clinical monitoring
- It is developed by IIT Bombay
What is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is a prosthetic hearing device, partly implanted inside the cochlea through surgery. It helps children and adults with severe to profound hearing loss who do not benefit from hearing aids but have an intact auditory nerve.
