Ringing in the ears, or any noise in the ears, is called tinnitus. Roaring, ringing or buzzing sounds can be constant or intermittent. Tinnitus is most noticeable at bedtime or in quiet surroundings. Continuous ringing in the ears may be annoying, or it can become extremely upsetting. Ringing in the ears may be associated hearing loss.
Subjective Tinnitus
Doctors refer to tinnitus as being subjective when the sounds are heard only by the patient.
Objective Tinnitus
Objective tinnitus is an actual sound being generated by physiologic events near the middle ear. It is usually intermittent or pulsating.
Causes
Subjective tinnitus may be caused by loud noise, obstruction in the ear canal, Meniere's disease, tumor, Eustachian tube dysfunction, ear infections and certain drugs.
Objective tinnitus is usually produced by turbulent blood flow in nearby blood vessels. This can be due to tumors, atherosclerosis, or malformations of the vessels near the middle ear. Muscle spasms in the area may also be causal.
Concerns
Tinnitus in only one ear or when accompanied by other neurological signs or symptoms may indicate a serious underlying disorder.
Tests
People with significant tinnitus should complete audiological testing to check for hearing loss. Those with tinnitus and hearing loss in one ear only should be evaluated by gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. Other types of tests may be needed, depending on symptoms and signs.
