A sudden ringing in the ear, also referred to as tinnitus, affects around 36 million people in the United States, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Tinnitus may cause additional noises such as a roaring, whistling, hissing or buzzing sound. A sudden ringing or loud noise in the ear may be a sign of an underlying medical condition or damage to the ear. The ringing may become chronic or can occur for the duration of an illness. There is no cure for the chronic form of the condition, but management options may help reduce the irritation caused by tinnitus.
Damage to Ears
The tiny hairs lining the ear canal help transmit sound. If these hairs are damaged, they can transmit electoral signals to the brain. The brain then translates the impulse into the ringing sound. These delicate hairs can be damaged by loud noises, such as music and heavy machinery. Wearing earplugs can help prevent permanent damage from exposure to loud noise. Any condition causing fluid in the ears, such as allergies or an ear infection, can cause tinnitus.
Hearing Loss
When hearing begins to decrease, a ringing may begin in the ears. This generally occurs as a person ages. As the ability to hear external sounds diminishes, hearing internal body sounds increases, according to the Patient Education Institute.
Circulatory System Conditions
Several different medical conditions involving the circulatory system can cause a sudden ringing in the ears. These conditions include low or high blood pressure, anemia and arteriosclerosis. A circulatory system disorder is a rare cause for tinnitus, according to MayoClinic.com. Tumors in the neck or head can compress blood vessels and cause the individual to hear noise in the ear. Controlling these medical conditions can help decrease the tinnitus.
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is a medical condition that involves a stiffening of the bones in the middle ear. The hardened bone interferes with sound waves, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. This condition causes symptoms such as hearing loss and tinnitus. Surgery can help treat otosclerosis.
Medications
More than 200 hundred different medications can cause a ringing in the ears, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Common types of medications that may cause tinnitus include antibiotics, aspirin, cancer medicines and diuretics. High doses of the medication are more likely to cause the condition.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Tinnitus
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: The Noise in Your Ears: Facts About Tinnitus
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Insight into Causes and Treatments for Tinnitus
- The Patient Education Institute: Tinnitus
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Otosclerosis
