Tinnitus 'caused by the brain'RSS Feed

Tinnitus, a ringing in the ear many claim to suffer from, is caused by neurons in the brain, according to new research.

A study from McMaster University in Ontario, found that the phantom ringing in the ears is not caused by a defect in the ears themselves, but from neurons in the brain talking to each other.

This is due to changes in the brain when hearing loss occurs.

The disorder is most common in those over the age of 60, with between eight and 20 per cent of this age group affected.

Other sufferers include soldiers returning from a warzone, said the research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Researcher Larry Roberts said that hearing loss among young people is increasing, which could see a rise in cases of Tinnitus.

"The implications underscore the need for more public policy on prevention. Much like the movement that swayed public opinion on the dangers of cigarette smoking and the need for cessation, we need new initiatives on hearing loss," he said.

This comes after it was revealed that a simple memory test could be used to predict Alzheimer's, according to research from the Australian National University and Brunel University, London.

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Posted by Paul Breen
  

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