Common Causes for Your Tinnitus

Those quiet weekends or calm nights can be disrupted by a ringing, buzzing noise in your ear known as tinnitus. This condition can be brought on by many outside factors and might even be a symptom of something more significant.

Noise-induced damage

Exposure to loud noises, especially over a long period of time, is perhaps the most common cause of tinnitus. When strong sound waves enter the ear canal, they can damage the hair cells in the cochlea that are responsible for converting sound to the auditory nerve, which can induce that familiar ringing sound. Hearing loss is often correlated with the onset of tinnitus.

Medications

Some types of medications can make tinnitus in one or both ears more prominent. Anti-inflammatory drugs, certain antidepressants, and antibiotics have been associated with increased ear ringing in patients. With that said, moderate use of these medications can reduce the likelihood of this side effect.

Excessive earwax

Earwax can be useful to your ear’s health with its antibacterial properties. However, too much earwax can block the ear canal and lead to hearing difficulties including tinnitus. Improper earwax removal can make this even worse.

Ménière’s disease

Ménière’s disease is an ear condition caused by fluid buildup in the inner ear to the point of balance and hearing disruption. Along with vertigo, hearing loss, and ear fullness, tinnitus is considered a symptom of this disorder.

Head injury

Trauma to the head and neck has been associated with ear ringing. It can be symptomatic of concussions or a mild traumatic brain injury, while tension around the cervical spine near the neck from neck or jaw injuries can also lead to the condition. 

To each person, tinnitus may sound different- some people hear ringing or buzzing, some hear crickets, some hear a ‘whooshing’ noise, and so on. Since there is no current way to get rid of tinnitus, the goal of our audiologists is to provide rehabilitative options to reduce the noticeability of your tinnitus and its ability to impact your day-to-day life.

Whether your tinnitus is fairly new or a longtime ailment, your ability to hear should not be a chore. At CEENTA, our audiologists can examine your ear and hearing to see the extent of your hearing loss and provide treatment options suitable for your lifestyle. Schedule your next appointment with our award-winning hearing specialists by calling 704-295-3300 or through your myCEENTAchart account. 

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. You can schedule an appointment with any of our audiologists in North and South Carolina through myCEENTAchart or by calling 704-295-3300.