Tinnitus is a symptom characterized by ringing in the ear when no external noise is present. About 15 to 20% of the United States adult population suffers from this symptom in either one or both ears. In most cases, tinnitus is caused by an underlying condition and can be improved when the underlying cause is adequately treated.

Hearing Loss

Inside of your inner ear are tiny, delicate hair cells. These cells move when your ear receives sound waves. The electrical signals produced by the hair cell movement go to the auditory nerve in your brain so that your brain can interpret the sound signals. As you age, the delicate hair cells can start to bend or break. When this happens, the hair cells can leak random electrical impulses to your brain.

Ear Infection or Blockage

A very common cause of tinnitus is a blockage in the ear. This blockage can be created by dirt, earwax, and foreign materials. With ear infections, swelling in the ear is due to a buildup of bodily fluid that causes the blockage. When your inner ear is blocked, it alters the pressure in your ear, which can lead to tinnitus. Treating the infection or removing the blockage will likely eliminate your tinnitus symptoms.

Neck or Head Injuries

When your body undergoes trauma to your head or neck, it can affect your inner ear. This is because your hearing nerves and the auditory section of your brain can be damaged or injured. In most cases, you'll experience tinnitus in only one ear on the side where your injury happened. Typically, treating the head injury and waiting for it to heal up will eventually remove the tinnitus.

Medications

A well-known cause of tinnitus is medications. Typically, patients who suffer from tinnitus due to medication take high dosages. Some common medications are known to cause tinnitus include NSAIDS, cancer drugs, water pills, antimalarial drugs, certain antibiotics, and antidepressants. In most cases, reducing the dosage or switching to a different medication will eliminate tinnitus.

Meniere's Disease

Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder characterized as abnormal inner ear fluid pressure. As we discussed earlier, a change in the pressure of your inner ear is a well-known cause of ringing in the ear. Most physicians will prescribe a betahistine medication that helps to reduce the pressure and severity of Meniere's disease.

TMJ

TMJ, known formally as Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, is a condition that affects the joint on the side of your head, right in front of your ears. It's thought that the joint's close location to the eardrum is responsible for tinnitus. As the joint becomes inflamed due to TMJ, many patients suffer from a ringing or similar noise from the pressure change in their ears. Controlling TMJ with medications, certain therapies, and self-care can help to reduce the swelling and frequency of tinnitus.

Contact Us Today

If you're experiencing tinnitus, it's time to give us a call. Let our hearing care specialists evaluate your hearing to help determine the cause and treatment for your condition.