Woman grimacing with hand on the left side of her head suffering from tinnitus

Are you going mad with that tinnitus in your ears? Learn whether your tinnitus is inherited or what the cause may be.

Tinnitus, what exactly is it?

Tinnitus is the term describing a person’s perception of a ringing, droning, or buzzing in the ear with no external noises present to explain this experience. The direct translation of the word tinnitus is”ringing like a bell”.”

How will tinnitus affect my everyday living?

Tinnitus can disrupt personal connections in numerous frustrating ways. It’s not a disease in and of itself, but it’s a symptom of other conditions or circumstances in your life including hearing loss or damage. You may hear tinnitus in one ear or both ears and it can impede your ability to concentrate.

Tinnitus is always troublesome regardless of how it’s manifesting. impact your sleep and even cause anxiety and depression.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be persistent or temporary. Short term varieties of tinnitus are typically brought on by extended exposure to loud sounds, such as a rock concert. Tinnitus has been known to co-occur with several different medical conditions.

A few of the circumstances that may play host to tinnitus include:

  • Inner ear infections
  • Various medications
  • Age-related hearing loss
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Head or neck traumas
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Exposure to loud sound for extended time periods
  • A benign tumor, called acoustic neuroma, forms on cranial nerve
  • Inner ear cell damage and irritation of the fragile hairs used to transport sound, causing arbitrary transmissions of sound to your brain
  • Teeth grinding (bruxism) caused by a TMJ disorder
  • Buildup of excessive earwax
  • Injuries that impact nerves of the ear
  • The ear bone has undergone changes

Could I have inherited this tinnitus from my parents?

In general, tinnitus isn’t a hereditary condition. But the symptoms can be affected by your genes. For example, ear bone changes that can result in tinnitus can be inherited. Abnormal bone growth can trigger these changes and can be handed down through family genes. A few of the other conditions that can lead to ringing in the ear may be passed down from your parents, including:

  • Being predisposed to depression or anxiety
  • Being prone to inner ear infections or wax build-up
  • Specific diseases

The ringing in your ear isn’t directly inheritable, but you might have been genetically susceptible to the conditions that are breeding grounds for tinnitus.

If your family has a history of tinnitus, you should certainly come in for an evaluation.

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.