Tinnitus Cause

What causes tinnitus? Tinnitus is the condition when one hears a ringing, whooshing, buzzing or other sounds in one or both ears , when there is no apparent outside source for these sounds. It can be occasional or constant and often a huge annoyance if not downright unbearable.  

Many of us will experience this condition at some time during our life. In most cases, tinnitus will last for a brief period of time from a few minutes to a few hours or days. Tinnitus is actually a symptom of something else going on in our body. If tinnitus continues for an extended period of time, or becomes constant and annoying, one should have it checked by a physician to eliminate something more serious and attempt to find the true underlying cause. 

There are many common causes for tinnitus so an occasional ringing in the ear in no cause for immediate alarm. At times, a sinus infection may cause the tinnitus or a buildup of wax in the ear can be the culprit. Suffering from a cold or ear infection, or attending a high intensity rock concert are other common causes for temporary tinnitus, and will cure themselves as the infection heals or the noises cease. 

Some medications have side effects that include ringing in the ear. Aspirin, antibiotics, prescription drugs of various kinds, and caffeine are sometimes causes of tinnitus. Alcohol, stress, overexertion or insomnia have been linked to temporary tinnitus. Even diet, lack of exercise and various vitamin deficiencies have been known to cause ringing in the ears. Tinnitus could be a warning of high blood pressure. Occasionally, the cause of the tinnitus cannot be linked to anything.  

A more serious but unfortunately, all too common cause of tinnitus is damage to the inner ear. Inside the inner ear are millions of tiny hearing nerves which may become damaged for various reasons. As we age, these nerves also age and subsequently loss of hearing and tinnitus can occur. 

A much more avoidable reason that these nerves become damaged is exposure to extremely loud noises. These noises could be jack hammers, chain saws, jet engines, or other work-related loud noises. One should wear protective hearing gear if exposure to such noises is part of your regular routine or job.  

One should protect one’s ears as much as possible and not make it a habit of blaring your music or being in an environment where the sound level is extremely high without ear protection. Short term exposure (such as attending a loud rock concert) may cause temporary tinnitus, but long term exposure can produce permanent damage to the inner ear.  

Some relatively uncommon causes of tinnitus are Meniere’s Syndrome (an abnormality of the flow of fluids in the ear), otosclerosis (hardening of the bones in the ear) and various other ear disorders, head injuries, neck and nerve injuries or even brain tumors. These are rare causes of a common condition. 

Being as the tinnitus cause are so numerous and varied, one who experiences prolonged tinnitus should be examined by their physician to find the source of the condition.

Visit our recommended reading link above for a more detailed explanation of "Curing Tinnitus"

BACK TO TINNITUS CURE ANSWER