Tinnitus is a symptom associated with problems in the auditory system, including the brain, auditory nerve, ear and blood vessels. People with tinnitus describe the condition as a foreign noise in the ear, which may sound like a ringing, buzzing, fizzing or roaring noise. Tinnitus affects about 22.7 million adults in the United States, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Causes
Tinnitus occurs for a variety of reasons. A fizzing sound may occur after using hydrogen peroxide to help clean earwax out of the ear. Tinnitus may also occur because of damage to the tiny hairs in the outer ear caused by loud sounds, from brain tumors and from ear infections. Additional conditions that may cause noise in the ear include blood vessel or heart disorders, hormonal changes and thyroid problems.
Risk Factors
Some people have an increased risk of developing phantom sounds in the ear. Risk factors for the condition include being male, having hearing loss, being older than 65, exposure to loud noises and being Caucasian. Tinnitus is a common symptom for people with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to MayoClinic.com.
Treatments
Treating a fizzing sound in the ear may include simple tasks such as draining hydrogen peroxide from the ear or taking antibiotics to clear up an ear infection. Correcting hearing loss with the use of hearing aids may improve tinnitus. The sounds may be most bothersome when the environment is quiet, such as when trying to sleep, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library Home Edition. Using background noise--such as playing music or using a fan for white noise--may help mask the sounds in the ear. Removing excessive amounts of earwax, changing medications and treating underlying medical conditions that cause tinnitus may also help alleviate the noise in the ear.
Complications
People who experience severe tinnitus may also suffer from additional problems because of the noise in the ear. Some complications from tinnitus include sleeping problems, depression, anxiety and trouble concentrating.
Prevention
Wearing hearing protection when exposed to loud noises such as a music concert, firearms, heavy machinery or engines may help protect the ears from damage that causes tinnitus. Options for hearing protection include wearing earplugs or earmuffs to help reduce sound and protect hearing when exposed to sounds greater than 85 dB, according to the American Tinnitus Association.
