Second to noise, head and neck trauma is the next leading cause of tinnitus.  Roadside bombs, commonly known as IED’s (improvised explosive devices), can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) accompanied by hearing loss and tinnitus.  Consequently, many victims of traumatic brain injuries are soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to the Congressional Research Service, The Military Health System recorded 43,779 patients who were diagnosed with TBIs from 2003 to 2007.

The Brain:

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an object suddenly hits the head, and the force of the impact causes trauma to the brain.  The degree of damage can be mild, moderate or severe.  Symptoms of a TBI can include temporary or prolonged loss of consciousness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing of the ears, loss of balance, impaired memory and concentration.  Someone with a severe TBI may experience convulsions, seizures or death.

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death for people younger than 45 years old.

Treatment for a TBI can involve surgery to remove hematomas (blood clots), surgery to repair broken bones, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and possibly treatment by a psychologist and/or psychiatrist.

There is ongoing research about the mechanism of TBIs, and how to help speed up recovery among its victims.

What is the connection between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and tinnitus?

In an article by Marsha Johnson, M.S., CCC-A, Marsha cites Dr. Dennis Fitzgerald, who states that head trauma causes bleeding on the surface of the brain and brain stem.  This bleeding, in turn, causes damage to the cochlea, the inner ear.  The cochlea is a delicate maze that contains membranes and sacs filled with different fluids.  It is theorized that a leakage of fluids in any of these sacs can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Ear:

It is also possible that the force of the impact from the trauma can cause leakage of fluids from different sacs in the cochlea.

In his article (The Washington Post; 3/10/2009), Tom Wilkinson tells the story of Captain Nathan Green, who was the victim of a roadside bomb/IED.  Captain Green suffered a traumatic brain injury, and as a result, “hears the high-pitched whine and static buzz of an AM radio.  All the time.”

The sound that Nathan Green does not exist outside of his head.  It is generated by his brain.  This is tinnitus.

Other sounds created by the brain are ringing, hissing, chirping or buzzing.

Tinnitus can interrupt a person’s sleep, ability to concentrate and participate in social situations.

The connection between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and tinnitus is still not completely clear. It has been recommended by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that more research be conducted in this area, in light of the fact that the nature of the current war and the high incidence of IEDs translates into an increasing number of soldiers experiencing TBIs.  Of these, a substantial number will subsequently suffer from tinnitus.

For those servicemen suffering from tinnitus, there is Tinnitus Dx, a homeopathic remedy for tinnitus.