A Member of the University of Maryland Medical System   |   In Partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Share

Email PageEmail Print PagePrint

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Tinnitus - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Silbidos en los oídos; Ruidos o zumbidos en los oídos; Zumbido de oídos

Definición:

Tinnitus es el término médico para el hecho de "escuchar" ruidos en los oídos cuando no hay una fuente sonora externa.

Los sonidos que uno escucha pueden ser suaves o fuertes y pueden sonar como como silbido, soplo, rugido, zumbido, sibilancia, susurro o chirrido. Uno incluso puede pensar que está escuchando el escape del aire, agua corriendo, el interior de una concha marina o notas musicales.

Consideraciones generales:

El tinnitus es común. Casi toda persona experimenta una forma leve de tinnitus de vez en cuando que dura sólo unos cuantos minutos. Sin embargo, el tinnitus constante o recurrente es estresante y puede interferir con la capacidad para concentrarse o dormir.

Causas comunes:

No se sabe con certeza lo que hace que una persona "escuche" sonidos cuando no hay una fuente sonora externa. Sin embargo, el tinnitus puede ser un síntoma de casi cualquier trastorno auditivo, incluyendo:

El consumo de alcohol, cafeína, antibióticos, aspirina y otras drogas también puede causar ruidos en los oídos.

El tinnitus puede presentarse con hipoacusia y ocasionalmente es un signo de presión arterial alta, una alergia o anemia. En raras ocasiones, el tinnitus es signo de un problema grave como un tumor o un aneurisma.

  • Reviewed last on: 7/26/2010
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.

Referencias

Heller AJ. Classification and epidemiology of tinnitus. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2003; 36(2): 239-248.

Sismanis A. Tinnitus. Advances in evaluation and management. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2003; 36(2): xi-xii.

Bauer CA. Tinnitus and hyperacusis. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2010:chap 150.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Adam QualityA.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Connect with UMMC
Facebook Twitter YouTube Blog iPhone

Please rate the quality of this article.

Do you find this article to be helpful / informative?
              
Poor                                       Excellent

Do you have any brief comments on this page: (up to 255 characters)

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885