What causes tinnitus and is it a serious condition?

What causes tinnitus and is it a serious condition?

Jason Hamilton (Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon) gives expert video advice on: How is tinnitus treated?; What can I do to prevent tinnitus or lessen its severity? and more...

Tinnitus is usually caused by some degeneration in the hair cells, which are the cells that allow us to hear, and transmit the noises that we hear to the nerves and brain. Tinnitus can be a minor nusiance, or it can be a significant impairment for patients, depending on the level of the tinnitus and the loudness. Some patients just ignore it, whereas some patients need medical treatment for their tinnitus.