Ringing in the ears, medically known as tinnitus, can be more than an annoyance. Tinnitus affects one out of five people, the Mayo Clinic states, and can seriously interfere with activities of daily living. Causes of tinnitus are many, and cures are few. Medications, age and external factors like exposure to loud noises can all cause tinnitus. Unilateral tinnitus is more alarming than bilateral tinnitus, the Merck Manual states, because it's more often associated with tumors.
Aging
Aging is a common cause of ringing in the ears. Age-related tinnitus is called presbycucus, and usually begins around age 60, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hearing aids help decrease the ringing in 50 percent of people with tinnitus related to hearing loss.
Ear-Related Causes
Problems in the ear are commonly associated with ringing in the ears. Common causes include wax buildup in the ear, Meniere's disease, a disorder of fluid accumulation in the inner ear and acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the cranial nerve that runs from the inner ear to the brain. Otosclerosis, a stiffening of the bones in the middle ear that's usually familial, can also cause tinnitus. Problems clearing fluid from the Eustachian tube (the canal that runs between the ear and the back of the throat), ear infections and tumors in the middle ear can also cause tinnitus. Muscles spasms in the middle ear, also known as myoclonus, can cause a clicking or mechanical sound in the ear.
Noise Exposure
People who spend years listening to loud music, or those who use jackhammers or work in extremely noisy environments, can develop permanent ringing in the ears. Temporary tinnitus is common even after a few hours of exposure to loud music at a concert or at a construction site. Temporary tinnitus can become permanent if the ear is repeatedly exposed to loud noise.
Blood Vessel Disorders
Many blood vessel disorders can cause tinnitus. Hypertension (high blood pressure) and atherosclerosis blockage of the carotid arteries or arteries near the inner or middle ear cause ringing in the ears. Tumors of the head and neck can also result in tinnitus. Treating the disorder decreases the tinnitus in these cases.
Medications
A number of medications cause tinnitus; in most cases, tinnitus disappears when you stop taking the medication. Aspirin in large quantities, more than 12 a day, can cause tinnitus, the Mayo Clinic states. Certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin, vancomycin and tetracycline cause temporary tinnitus. Diuretics, medications used to treat malaria such as quinine and some chemotherapy agents, such as cisplatin, are associated with tinnitus.
Other Causes
Tinnitus is often related to stress or depression. Allergies, diabetes and thyroid problems can also cause tinnitus.
