Tinnitus: What That Ringing in Your Ears Could Mean

Have you ever noticed ringing, buzzing, humming, or another sound that no one else can hear? This experience is known as tinnitus.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an outside source. It may occur in one or both ears, feel as though it is coming from inside the head, and be constant or come and go. Although ringing is the most familiar description, tinnitus can also sound like buzzing, hissing, clicking, roaring, or swishing.

Tinnitus is common and is rarely a sign of a serious medical condition. However, persistent symptoms can be distracting and may interfere with sleep, concentration, communication, and overall quality of life.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is not usually a condition by itself. Instead, it is often associated with a change or underlying problem somewhere in the hearing system.

Possible causes include:

• Exposure to loud music, machinery, firearms, or other intense sounds

• Age-related hearing changes

• Noise-induced hearing loss

• Excess earwax or an ear infection

• Certain medications

• Head or neck injuries

• Temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, problems

• Ménière’s disease and other inner-ear conditions

• Blood vessel conditions, particularly when the sound follows the rhythm of the heartbeat

In rare cases, tinnitus in one ear may be associated with a vestibular schwannoma, also called an acoustic neuroma. This is a usually noncancerous tumor that develops on a nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain.

Sometimes, no specific cause can be identified.

When Is Tinnitus Temporary?

Temporary tinnitus can occur after attending a concert, using loud power equipment, or being exposed to another intense sound. It may fade after several minutes or hours.

Even when the ringing disappears, it can be a sign that the ears were exposed to potentially damaging noise. Wearing properly fitted hearing protection and lowering the volume of personal listening devices can help reduce the risk of future hearing damage.

Repeated episodes should not be ignored, especially if they are accompanied by difficulty hearing.

When Should You See an ENT?

Schedule an evaluation if tinnitus:

• Does not go away

• Frequently returns

• Occurs mainly in one ear

• Is accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness, ear pressure, or balance problems

• Pulses or beats in time with your heartbeat

• Interferes with sleep, concentration, work, or daily activities

• Begins after starting a new medication

Seek prompt medical care if tinnitus develops suddenly with new hearing loss, severe dizziness, facial weakness, or other neurological symptoms.

How Is Tinnitus Evaluated?

An otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat physician or ENT, will ask when the tinnitus began, what it sounds like, whether it affects one or both ears, and whether additional symptoms are present.

The evaluation may include:

• An examination of the ears, head, and neck

• A review of medications and recent noise exposure

• A hearing evaluation

• Additional balance or imaging tests when appropriate

This process can help identify treatable conditions such as impacted earwax, infection, hearing loss, or jaw-related problems.

Can Tinnitus Be Treated?

There is no single treatment that works for every person. When an underlying cause is found, treating that condition may reduce or resolve the tinnitus.

For persistent tinnitus, management options may include:

• Hearing aids for people with hearing loss

• Sound therapy or gentle background noise

• Cognitive behavioral therapy or tinnitus-focused counseling

• Tinnitus retraining therapy

• Strategies for improving sleep and reducing stress

• Treatment for associated jaw problems or other medical conditions

There is currently no medication specifically approved to cure tinnitus, and supplements marketed as tinnitus remedies have not been proven effective. Always speak with a healthcare professional before beginning a supplement or stopping a prescription medication.

You Do Not Have to Ignore Persistent Ringing

Tinnitus is often temporary and harmless, but ongoing symptoms deserve attention. If you are hearing a sound that others cannot hear and it is not going away, contact ENT & Allergy, Inc. to schedule an appointment with one of our otolaryngologists. An evaluation can help determine whether an underlying condition is contributing to your symptoms and identify options that may make the sound less disruptive.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.