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Tinnitus is a symptom commonly found in elderly people but is not just restricted to the elderly. It can be found in any age group. It is believed that up to 10% of the population suffers from this condition to some degree or another.

Sufferers of Tinnitus complain that they can hear things that others can't. Tinnitus can be found in one or both of the ears and it is not uncommon for patients to comment that the noises seem to be coming from the middle of their heads.

It is believed there are two different types of Tinnitus. Otic Tinnitus, which is caused by disorders of the inside of the ear and Somati Tinnitus, which is caused by damage outside of the ear but in the region of the head and neck.

The sounds heard can vary among patients. Some of the common sounds are musical tones, hissing, whistling, roaring, buzzing or ringing. While most people consider Tinnitus to be more of an inconvenience than anything else, in severe cases, some patients may need treatment to relieve the symptoms.

Tinnitus is caused by damage to the nerves in the inside of the ear. These nerves transmit electrical impulses to the brain that are then interpreted into everyday sounds. When the nerves are damaged the noises become distorted, causing the strange sounds that are heard by Tinnitus sufferers.

Causes of this condition are varied. Some of the common causes are loud environments, age, anemia and excessive earwax.

Menieres disease, which affects a person's balance, can also include Tinnitus symptoms. For most patients suffering from Tinnitus there is no cure. However, there are treatments that can relieve the symptoms to make the condition easier to live with.

Tinnitus is often related to stress. In many cases, tranquilizers, sedatives or antidepressants can ease the symptoms. For some wanting to avoid strong prescription medicines, there are some drug-free, natural alternatives. These alternatives can include listening to soothing music before bedtime or using a white noise generator to mask the noises being heard inside the patient's head.

There are also preventative measures that can be taken to lessen the chances of getting Tinnitus. If ringing in the ears is ever heard after being in a loud environment that means that damage has being done. Loud noises such as these should be avoided as much as possible. If it is necessary to be in a loud environment, then preventative measures such as earplugs can be beneficial. Musicians and DJ's often use special earplugs that will lower the volume yet won't distort their music.

The best cure for Tinnitus is prevention. If care is taken to protect ears from damage, the chances of suffering from the condition later on is much less likely to occur.