A ringing sound in your ear is called Tinnitus. According to the American tinnitus Association, about 50 million Americans have this disorder.The sound can be generated from the ear, brain and the auditory nerve, which runs from the inner ear to the brain. Ear ringing can become very disturbing and often proves difficult to cure. It is important to find out if an underlying cause exists because many times treating the cause also treats the tinnitus.
Ear Conditions
Disorders of the ear can cause tinnitus. Wax buildup in the ear or infection in the middle ear can cause a temporary ringing in your ear. This will go away once the wax is removed or when the infection clears.
Fluid, which can build in the middle ear following a cold, can lead to sounds in the ear. Allergies and sinus infections can cause ear ringing.
A condition of the middle ear called otosclerosis, which causes abnormal bone growth, and immobilization of the bone in the middle ear can cause tinnitus. This will also decrease your hearing.
Menieres disease is a disorder of the inner ear. You will have giddiness and hearing loss in addition to the roaring sounds in the ear.
Noise Exposure
Noise damage occurring from a gun explosion or a blast, machinery at your workplace can cause a permanent cochlear damage and a permanent tinnitus. After attending a loud music concert or a nightclub one can experience a temporary ringing in the ear. You should avoid loud noise and protect your ears from loud noise by using earmuffs to prevent ear ringing.
Medications
Medicines that you may be taking for different problems can cause tinnitus according to Mayo clinic. These include drugs like aspirin, drugs given to treat malaria like quinine and chloroquine, antibiotics like erythromycin and some cancer drugs.
Age Related Hearing Loss
As you age you may experience hearing loss. The nerves of your inner ear will become weak and this may result in ringing sounds in your ear. Your doctor may prescribe you a hearing aid that will also help to reduce the ear ringing.
Other Causes
Schwanomma is a tumor of the auditory nerve, which runs from the inner ear to the brain. Tinnitus could be the first symptom of a schwanomma.
Tinnitus can also occur with high blood pressure, low thyroid levels, with anemia, blood vessel disorders like atherosclerosis. Jaw disorders like temporomandibular joint disorder can cause a clicking sound.
Psychological disorders, stress and anxiety can also cause an annoying tinnitus.
