Tinnitus is perception of sound where there is none

Just a few days ago, British newspapers reported that a rock fan committed suicide to relieve tinnitus that he had for 3 months after a supergroup's gig. Tinnitus is characterized as perception of sound where there is none. Read more about tinnitus in this blog post. The Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine recently published a review on Tinnitus: Patients do not have to ‘just live with it’ and Tinnitus relief: Suggestions for patients.



From NHS Choices YouTube channel: Tinnitus causes people to hear constant sounds in one ear, both ears or in their head. An audiologist explains the possible causes and effects it often has, such as stress and anxiety, plus how to deal with them. Ashleigh, who was diagnosed with tinnitus in 2005, describes how she copes with it.

Lars Ulrich, the drummer for the heavy metal band Metallica, also struggles with tinnitus and warns his fans that "once your hearing is gone, it's gone. I've been playing loud rock music for the better part of 35 years," said Ulrich, 46. "I never used to play with any kind of protection."

Early in his career, without protection for his ears, the loud noise began to follow Ulrich off-stage. "It's this constant ringing in the ears," Ulrich said. "It never sort of goes away. It never just stops." This is a classic description of tinnitus, a perception of sound where there is none (phantom ear sounds).

The military is generating a tremendous number of tinnitus patients, according to a recent CNN report on the problem.

Tinnitus differential diagnosis: Q SALAMI mnemonic

Quinidine

Salicylates (aspirin)
Aminoglycoside antibiotics (ABx)

Labyrinthitis
Acoustic neuroma, CN VIII
Meniere’s disease
Increased blood pressure (BP) (HTN)

References:

Metallica drummer struggles with tinnitus: "Once your hearing is gone, it's gone"
Metallica drummer struggles with ringing in ears. CNN.

Tinnitus: Patients do not have to ‘just live with it’. CCJM, 2011.

Tinnitus relief: Suggestions for patients. CCJM, 2011.
Rock Fan Commits Suicide to Relieve Tinnitus From Supergroup's Gig: Daily Mail and Fox News.
Noise Chart as It Relates to Hearing Damage and Hearing Loss http://goo.gl/tjZh1