Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2014 Jun;57(6):357-363. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2014.57.6.357.
Mechanism of Tinnitus Generation
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. kylee@knu.ac.kr
- KMID: 2277804
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2014.57.6.357
Abstract
- Subjective tinnitus can be defined as sound sensations (ringing or roaring) occurring in the absence of external auditory stimulus. It is one of the most widespread disorders of auditory system that might be caused by the peripheral auditory injury and insults to somatosensory levels. There were some theories in pathophysiology of tinnitus, such as change in biochemical systems, discordant dysfunction, and spontaneous hyperactivity of auditory tract or imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory transmitter actions of central auditory tracts. Theories related to neural plasticity and cortical reorganization have been recently introduced. Current understanding of pathophysiology in tinnitus is essential to therapeutic approaches. Although there were many studies addressing pathophysiology of tinnitus, controversies exist regarding the pathophysiology of tinnitus. The aim of this review was to review and summarize the recent studies related to pathophysiology of tinnitus.
