It's likely you've encountered tinnitus – ringing in the ears – at least once in your life. This unpleasant, tiresome sensation comes after a strenuous day or heavier physical exertion. If ringing in the ears occurs often and causes hearing problems, it's time for a visit to the otorhinolaryngologist (ENT specialist).

Causes that can lead to ringing in the ears:

• Ear injuries and diseases;
• Tumours in the part of the auditory nerve;
• Arterial atherosclerosis (because of calcified head and neck vessels, the inner ear is insufficiently supplied with blood);
• Neck injuries;
• Constant tension in the neck and lower-jaw muscles;
• Medications taken (antibiotics, antidepressants, painkillers, chemotherapy drugs).

It harms overall quality of life.

Although squeaking, buzzing and ringing in the ears is usually the result of noise's effect on hearing, constantly experiencing these unpleasant sensations makes us more irritable and short-tempered. Such a state doesn't allow you to relax and rest fully, and sleep quality suffers. Tinnitus can also appear quite unexpectedly, so if ringing in the ears lasts longer than a few days, you should make time for a visit to the doctor.

Doctors warn that in certain cases the signs listed signal serious diseases. The sooner the cause of the problem is found, the faster, more effective and more successful the treatment!

Searching for a diagnosis.

If you face ringing in the ears, you should first turn to your family doctor. If they can't find the cause of this unpleasant sensation, you'll be referred for a consultation with an otorhinolaryngologist. After carrying out examinations, they'll determine what's causing the ringing in the ears. If the symptom is caused not by ear problems, you'll be referred for further examinations with a specialist in the relevant field, since ringing in the ears isn't necessarily a symptom of ear disease. Measures may also be prescribed to reduce the tinnitus – sound therapy, hearing aids, control of sleep disorders, psychotherapy.

If you experience constant or sudden ringing in the ears, don't delay and visit an otorhinolaryngologist. At AND klinika, as many as three professionals in their field await you: doctor of medical sciences Darius Rauba, Sigita Veivesienė and Inga Tamošaitienė. We'll help you quickly and painlessly!