Tinnitus is caused by a variety of underlying conditions, most commonly related to hearing loss or ear damage. Key causes include:

• Hearing loss : Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) and noise-induced hearing damage are the most frequent causes. Damage to the hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) disrupts sound processing, leading to tinnitus

• Ear injuries and conditions : Ear infections, earwax blockage, otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in the middle ear), Ménière’s disease (inner ear disorder), and muscle spasms in the inner ear can cause tinnitus

• Circulatory system problems : Blood vessel disorders such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malformed blood vessels, or increased blood flow near the ear can cause pulsatile tinnitus, a rhythmic pulsing sound often in time with the heartbeat

• Jaw and head/neck issues : Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, head or neck trauma, and tumors like acoustic neuroma can lead to tinnitus

• Medications and toxins : Certain drugs (over 260 reported), including some antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and others, can cause or worsen tinnitus. Withdrawal from medications like benzodiazepines may also trigger it

• Other health conditions : Diabetes, thyroid problems, anemia, autoimmune disorders, stress, anxiety, and depression are associated with tinnitus

In many cases, tinnitus results from a combination of these factors, and sometimes no clear cause is identified. The perception of tinnitus arises from abnormal neural activity in the auditory pathways, often as a response to reduced sensory input from hearing loss

. In summary, tinnitus is primarily caused by damage or changes in the auditory system, circulatory issues, or other medical conditions affecting the ear or nervous system. Treatment often focuses on addressing the underlying cause or managing symptoms to reduce the perception of tinnitus