Ringing in the ears or Tinnitus can occur due to many reasons. It is not a disease but a symptom of other health conditions. Many different diseases or injuries cause Tinnitus. Additionally, various accompanying symptoms can lead you to Tinnitus. Some of these symptoms are below:
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Ear pain
- Increase in sensitivity to loud noise
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
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Triggers of Tinnitus
1. Loud Noise
Exposing your ears to loud noise causes Tinnitus, and you will experience a continuous ringing, roaring, or buzzing sound in one or both ears. It can happen when you hear loud sounds daily for years, or at times, just once. Going to a concert, working on large and noisy machinery, etc. are some examples of environments that can cause Tinnitus. The damage to the ear can be temporary or permanent.
2. Sinus and Ear Infections
You might also experience this condition when you have a cold. A sinus or ear infection can also show symptoms of Tinnitus because such conditions result in an increase in pressure inside your sinuses. In this case, your Tinnitus does not last for long. However, if your condition does not improve in a week, it is better to visit our Tinnitus specialist.
3. Certain Medicines
OTC drugs or other prescriptions can also trigger ringing sounds or worsen the condition if you already have it. These drugs include diuretics, aspirin, quinine-based medication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants, cancer drugs, and antibiotics. If the dose of medicine is heavy, there is a higher chance of getting this problem. You need to talk to our specialist if you feel that a drug is a reason for your Tinnitus.
4. TMJ Disorder
TMJ or Temporomandibular joint is located near your middle ear, joining your lower jaw with the skull. Some of the sensory nerves pass through this joint to your brain. Dislocation of this joint can cause TMJ disorder. If you have Tinnitus due to the misalignment of this joint, the doctor will adjust it, relieving your Tinnitus.
5. Blood Pressure
High blood pressure and any activities that cause blood pressure increase, such as drinking alcohol, having too much caffeine, etc. can result in Tinnitus. When your arteries harden, and the blood vessels near your inner and middle ear become stiff, they cause your blood pressure to rise. If you usually have high blood pressure, which is causing Tinnitus, you need to visit our clinic to see our specialist, as once your blood pressure is in control, your ears will stop ringing.
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6. EarWax
Ear wax protects your ear from dust particles or insects. This waxy substance can form a clump in your ear at times. This piling up of wax can cause you hearing loss or ringing in the ears. Furthermore, this may also occur when you use earbuds to clean your ear. When you insert the cotton bud inside your ear, it pushes the wax further inside and causes it to pile up. To treat this problem, doctors use a suction device to suck all the wax.
7. Hearing Loss Due to Age Factor
Tinnitus may affect you at any age. However, the chances of you getting this condition are here when you are older than 40. As you grow old, your sense of hearing becomes weak. The effect is usually seen in both ears and can cause problems when you hear high frequencies. To avoid hearing loss in your old age, you need to understand the risk factors of Tinnitus, such as smoking, listening to loud music, not using earplugs while working near noisy machines, etc.
8. Other Medical Conditions
Neck injuries, Meniere’s disease, etc. can cause Tinnitus. Also, in conditions like fibromyalgia and Lyme disease, you may experience some symptoms of Tinnitus. If you notice ringing in the ears due to any of these conditions, you should visit us as soon as possible.
Conclusion
We perform various tests to examine the cause of Tinnitus. In some cases, the reason for Tinnitus is unclear or hard to find.
Contact us soon, as this condition becomes worse with time. Call us at (646) 213-2321 to schedule an online appointment with Stephen Geller Katz LCSW.
[…] is a condition in which you hear ringing in one or both of the ears. Patients have reported hearing sensations like ringing and more, including whishing, whistling, […]