What Is Tinnitus

Neurological Basis of Disturbing Tinnitus

There are many potential causes for tinnitus and it is likely that no one explanation will cover all cases. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that tinnitus involves a series of neurological changes within the auditory system as well as systems in the brain that influence attention and emotional state1.

The tinnitus perception itself is a result of changes in the auditory system that lead to increased and altered activity in the neurons of the auditory system. This altered activity is interpreted by the brain as sound.

Many people experience the perception of sound in this way – but are not especially bothered by it.

For those people who experience bothersome tinnitus, the disturbance assocated with tinnitus and its impact on their quality of life is primarily the result of his or her reaction to this perception, rather than the perception itself. This reaction involves further changes in the parts of the brain that control conscious attention and one’s emotional state, such as the limbic and autonomic nervous systems.

Role of Hearing Loss in Triggering Tinnitus

Usually, tinnitus is triggered in the first instance by some disruption to the auditory system. Typically, this involves some form of hearing loss, which may be the result of aging, exposure to loud noises, certain types of drugs and medication, middle ear infections, or any one of many other causes.

Regardless of the cause of the hearing loss, and whether it is permanent or temporary, it can lead to the changes in the activity of neurons in the auditory system, which is then interpreted by the auditory cortex as sound.