Medical Journal, August, 1869. 266 INSANITY FROM AURAL DISEASE. Tinnitus can be so distressing that it has led to suicide in some cases. Dr. O. D. Pomeroy examined sixty lunatics at Blackwell's Island Lunatic Asylum and found disease of the ear in many who suffered from aural hallucinations, though not as high a proportion as stated by Schwartze and Koppe. Dr. C. E. Wright published a case where a patient attempted to destroy herself due to tinnitus and was relieved only after removing an object from her ear.
Tinnitus is often described in various ways: ringing of bells, murmurs of trees, hums of tea-kettles, etc., depending on the individual's background and experiences. Wilde noted that descriptions depend on one’s familiarity with certain sounds. For instance, rural individuals might describe tinnitus as resembling waterfalls or bird songs, while urban dwellers may liken it to machinery noises.
Von Troltsch described confusion of intellect and inability to maintain a coherent thought line as subjective symptoms of chronic ear disease. Patients often report that these noises and hearing impairment significantly affect their mental capabilities. However, some notable individuals have managed despite suffering from chronic inflammation since childhood.
The sounds in the ears are variously described: ringing bells (most aggravating), murmurs of trees, hums of tea-kettles, etc. Wilde is correct in stating that descriptions depend on one’s fancy and familiarity with certain sounds; rural people might describe tinnitus as resembling waterfalls or bird songs, while urban dwellers may liken it to machinery noises.
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