Have you ever gone to a concert or listened to a loud noise for a long time, only to have ringing ears right after? This condition is called Tinnitus which according to the American Tinnitus Association will affect 50 million Americans at some point in their lives. Patients who suffer from tinnitus might also experience hearing damage or different levels of hearing loss.
Northwestern University interviewed Dr. Micco and asked questions pertaining to the central nervous system’s role in tinnitus. He explained how “Brain research is hot right now, but we’ve known for a while that tinnitus is a central nervous system problem. Over 20 years ago, researchers found that people who used anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications, such as amitriptyline and aprazolam, showed improvement in their tinnitus symptoms. This may have been because of the medications’ effects on the brain, possibly due to a sedative effect that decreases perception. Stress and anxiety can make you fixate on the tinnitus.”
Dr. Micco also talked about how physical changes in the brain are being monitored through PET scans, in patients suffering from tinnitus. The scans showed “increased levels of activity in the left temporal lobe”, which is where the auditory cortex is found.”
This research gives hope to people suffering from tinnitus. If you have experienced ringing ears that doesn't go away after a while, visit your Miami Hearing Center and consult with your Miami audiologist such as Dr. Duran, which will diagnose you and help treat this condition.
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