What Causes Ringing in the Ears? | Ear Problems

A ringing or noise in the ear is called tinnitus. This sound can be a ringing, a humming, a buzzing, a swishing, a leaking radiator, a chirping bird, the sound of wind, the sound of rain, the sound of the ocean, crickets. It really doesn't matter what it sounds like. It only matters that it's there.

The only exception to this statement is if the noise is pulsatile, that is to say if it is in rhythm with your heart. If the noise is in rhythm with your heart it suggests a group of vascular problems such as a blockage of an artery in the neck or a vascular tumor perhaps near the ear.

It is unusual for tinnitus to be pulsatile or in rhythm with your heart. Most of the time it's just a constant noise, but its quality and its pitch is very, very variable and is really not significant. The only thing that is significant is that the noise is there, because that means there is something wrong with your ear and that mandates a consultation with an otolaryngologist, an ear, nose, and throat physician, in order to be evaluated.

The types of things that can cause a noise in your ear include a tumor in the ear, usually not malignant, almost always benign, an infection in your ear, or various types of hearing loss. So, it's very important that when this noise arises you seek a consultation, because often, if it is addressed early, it can be cured. But, if it is left and not attended to, after years it might be permanent.

Tinnitus is of particular concern when it is only in one ear. When it's in both ears it generally relates to some underlying age related or genetically determined hearing loss. But when it is only in one ear we are much more concerned about the possibility of an infection or a benign tumor.

[jimmynguyen]

The ringing only happens when I get slapped in the face or when there is no sound around me

[VeraVoxel]

My ears have been ringing for several days. The amount of time I’ve paid attention to it in total though is 40 minutes overall. If the room is completely silent it gets really loud 😥

[couchgaming]

My ear rings randomly, it comes out of nowhere and only lasts for a few seconds

[bailey-]

Anyone else with this is very sensitive to loud noises? Like when u go to movies theaters, concerts, etc, and ear buds.. ?

[alejocello]

I am a Musician and I have Tinnitus; I got it since an explosive firework blew up close to my right ear by accident. Fortunately, so far and according to the tests, I haven't experienced hearing loss. It can be annoying but one learns to live and deal with it. The diet has a strong influence in its intensity.

[crazinem]

I have tinnitus right now, and I had it since I was around 7 or 8. I never hear the ringing sound except for at night, which can be frustrating when I'm trying to sleep. Went to an ear doctor, and my hearing was perfect.

[crazinem]

I really have no idea. I don't remember hearing any loud noises, and I'm always careful to keep the volume low on my headphones. It's only in my left ear though.

[neonzlightz]

Omg this helped me so much, I hear faint buzzing noises. I will talk to my mom about this, now my anxiety went away because I know what this is.

[cjthemanthelegend]

I hear it when its way too quiet and when im with headphones

[kalabarneyhihi]

Based on my own experience. Ringing in one ear/both ears means your earwax becomes hard. My doctor recommended me mineral oil. Drop some mineral oil in the ears that is ringing then let it sit overnight. When you wake up you will feel the hard earwax clogged on your ear. Then you can remove the earwax using a tool what ever you have on home. Dont use cotton buds. This is just based on my experience.

[jaylxv]

ive had this my whole life, my mom has it too, so its genetic, i thought thats what everyone hears until i found out my mom had it too.... mine just sounds like static really annoying, however if i have a fan or something in the background it blocks it out... i wonder if mine can get cured... im 21 now soo idk

[melancholy_soup]

Great now I'm having panic attacks cause i think i have a tumor

[juanvillegas]

This gave me anxiety because I woke up today with my left ear ringing and who knows what it is. I can hear clearly, it’s just that whenever I’m in a quiet setting I can kinda hear it more. I just hope it goes away

[kidlm]

Don't worry everyone has this sound In the ears in full silence

[manoypolo]

When I was diagnosed with hypertension, followed by pre diabetes, that was the time that I suffered tinitus in my both ears, last 2017. Since last year, it was gone naturally but sometimes it reappears during night time.

[kurogehenna]

I have wind sounds in both ears, sometimes I hear a ringing or vibration in one ear.

[yndrako]

I have a low vibration in my ear and I can't stand it

[tamarasapozhnykova]

Hmmmm I always here it not everyday but some days and it happens at random times I always here a high pitch...

[khaos]

I've had an ear infection when I was 2 so maybe I should take this more serious when I hear the ringing since I've had it forever.

[peterharmon]

thanks for information about causes of tinnitus