Tinnitus...

...is a complex and dynamic symptom of the auditory system. It is generated by at least one of five main disorders. (Shown in colour-circles - explanation below). Inner ear (cochlea), auditory cortex and lower brain areas, somatic dysfunction of TMJ and vertebral column, endolymphatic pressure (Menière´s disease) or external influences from the environment create a dysbalance and/or hyperactivity in the auditory system, that is perceived as a ringing or hissing sound.

The disorders in particular:

OTIC DISORDERS - (treatment)

Middle ear dysfunctions (ear drum, ossicles, middle ear muscles)
Inner and outer hair cells dysfunction
Imbalances of nutritive structures in the ear
Blood vessel, viscosity and metabolite disorders

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS -

(treatment)

Tinnitus-Sensibilization
Chronic disstress syndrome
Posttraumatic disorders
Hearing loss
Metabolic and degenerative factors

SOMATOSENSORY DISORDERS - (treatment)

TMJ and masticator dysfunction
Teeth malocclusion or inflammtion
C0/1 area and vertebral column dysfunction
Cranio-sacral disorders
Cranial nerve (brain stem) irritation

ENDOLYMPHATIC DISORDERS - (treatment)

Chronic inflammatory process of the head
Cranio-sacral dysfunction
Immunological disorder

ENVIRONMENTAL (TOXIC) DISORDERS -

(treatment)

Sick building syndrome
Electromagnetic smog
Medication
Nutritives/Toxins

We describe acute (0-3 months), subacute (3-6 months) and chronic (> 6 months) forms of tinnitus perception. If secondary reactions to the perception of tinnitus causes emotional reactions with symptoms in the autonomic nervous system, a person is challenged to compensate this influence in life. If the experience of every day life becomes unbearable and it is difficult to work a job, we speak of decompensated forms of tinnitus. A decompensated situation represents a second disorder of psychic nature, that does require specific treatment.

Most importantly, we need to understand, that tinnitus is always the symptom, which belongs to a disorder, never is the disorder itself however.