Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsExcess Ear WaxMiddle Ear InfectionHearing LossExposure to Loud NoiseChanges in Blood FlowMeniere’s DiseaseMedicationsBlood Vessel DisordersChronic ConditionsHead and Neck InjuriesRuptured EardrumTMJ DisorderOther CausesWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Excess Ear Wax
Middle Ear Infection
Hearing Loss
Exposure to Loud Noise
Changes in Blood Flow
Meniere’s Disease
Medications
Blood Vessel Disorders
Chronic Conditions
Head and Neck Injuries
Ruptured Eardrum
TMJ Disorder
Other Causes
When to Seek Care
When your ears ring, it can mean you have a simple blockage or minor infection, but it can also be a sign of a serious condition or the first indication that you’re experiencing hearing loss.
There are at-home treatments for some issues, but you should see an ear, nose, and throat specialist if your symptoms are severe or persist.
This article explains common causes of ear ringing and how they are treated.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Believe it or not, something as simple as too muchear waxcan cause your ears to ring.This is due toblockage of the ear canal. The ringing goes away once the ear wax is removed.
You should avoid trying to remove the ear wax yourself. Seeking professional help from your care provider is the safest option.
Middle ear infections, also calledotitis media, occur when theeustachiantubebecomes swollen or inflamed from various conditions such as allergies or common colds.
Other symptoms may include:
Of course, getting older isn’t the only cause of ear ringing and hearing loss.
Hearing Loss Causes in Adults: What to Know
Exposure to loud noises over a prolonged period of time is a big culprit of hearing loss and can result intinnitus.Tinnitus is the sound of ringing, buzzing, humming, or blowing in the ears.
Ear ringing that appears after you’ve attended a concert or been to a shooting range can be pretty easy to pinpoint, but you may be surprised to know that prolonged exposure to noises even 80 decibels or more can also cause ear ringing and subsequent hearing loss.This type of hearing loss is usually permanent.
Even listening to your earbuds with the volume too high can damage your hearing. Other noises that are louder than 80 decibels include the kitchen blender, a motorcycle engine, a lawnmower, chain saws, hand drills, blow dryers, and shouting.
Loud noises damage the tiny hair cells in thecochleathat are essential for hearing. Once damaged, unfortunately, these cells never recover.
The good news: Noise-induced hearing loss is very preventable and ear ringing is one of the first symptoms of hearing loss. Toprevent hearing loss, turn down the volume, wear earplugs, and limit your exposure to loud noise.
Tinnitus can be broken down into two major types: pulsatile and non-pulsatile.
Meniere’sdiseaseis a poorly understood condition that usually affects only one ear. In addition to tinnitus, it causes vertigo, headaches, hearing loss, nausea, and vomiting.
The cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown but there may be a genetic component and many people with Meniere’s disease have a history of migraine headaches.
Although there is no cure for Meniere’s disease, there are treatments available to help manage symptoms of the condition. Ringing in the ears may become permanent as the disease progresses.
Signs and Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
Certain medicationscan cause ringing in your ears. They include:
Medications that are actually harmful to your ears are calledototoxic.Ototoxic medicationscan damage your inner ear and cause hearing loss.
Ototoxic Drugs That Can Cause Hearing Loss
Conditions that affect blood vessels can lead to pulsatile tinnitus.Atherosclerosis, a chronic disease that causes plaque to build up inside the arteries, can limit blood flow to parts of the body including the neck and head. This can cause a rhythmic thumping or whooshing sound in one or both ears.
Malformations in blood vessels near the ears, such asaneurysmsandarteriovenousmalformations, can also cause pulsatile tinnitus. In such cases, surgery is required to treat the underlying condition.
Other chronic conditions that can cause tinnitus include:
Mild to severe head or neck trauma may cause tinnitus. This includes concussions, skull fractures, a blood clot in the brain, or a brain bleed. These types of injuries can result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, contact sports, and violence.
Treatment depends on the type of injury and the severity of the condition. Depending on the cause, tinnitus may be temporary or permanent.
In many cases, a ruptured eardrum gets better on its own within a couple of months. Hearing usually returns to normal once the lesion has healed. However, if symptoms persist or an ear infection develops, treatment may be required.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
Tinnitus is a common symptom linked totemporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. That’s because the jaw joint is located near the ears.Other symptoms may include ear pain and/or stuffiness.
For many people, TMJ symptoms are temporary. TMJ conditions may be treated using self-care practices, physical therapy, and medications. In severe cases,TMJ surgerymay be necessary.
Other Causes of Ear Ringing
You may also experience ear ringing with these conditions:
What a Crackling Sound in Your Ear Means
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider if your tinnitus is:
You should seek immediate medical attention if you:
Summary
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