Chapter 10.1, Problem 5R

To determine

To explain: The occurrence of ear ringing called tinnitus.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The ringing of the ear is a kind of noise and is medically termed as Tinnitus. Tinnitus may not always be ringing but sometimes it can be buzzing or whistling or other types of noise. It is normally a perception of noise to the human ear when there is an absence of real acoustic noise in the surrounding

Ringing in ears or tinnitus starts in the inner portion of the ear. It is often caused by damage or loss of the sensory hair cells in the inner ear. The ringing comes from the inner part of the ear called the cochlea. Changes in the cochlea's nerve movement lead to tinnitus. The hypothesis regarding tinnitus has to do with the absence of sound. The brain responds to phantom or imaginary noise. The causes of tinnitus can be any of the following:

1. Exposure to loud sounds.
2. Head injury.
3. Wax in the ears.
4. Caffeine.
5. Too much medication of aspirin, medicines for high blood pressure, and antibiotics.

Conclusion:

Hence, ringing in the ear called tinnitus occurs.