Ear ringing and other abnormal ear noises is medically called tinnitus. People with tinnitus perceive buzzing, roaring, and pulsitile sounds when no actual sound is present.
Tinnitus can arise from problems in any of the four areas responsible for hearing: the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, and the brain. Tinnitus is often accompanied by hearing loss.
Tinnitus most commonly occurs for unknown reasons.
Other causes of ringing in ears
- Aging (Presbycusis)
- Ear Trauma (Such As From the Noise of Planes, Firearms, or Loud Music)
- Fluid in the Ears
- Medications (Both Prescription and Nonprescription, Notably Aspirin and Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs [NSAIDs])
- Rarely, Aneurysm or an Acoustic Neuroma (a Benign Tumor on the Acoustic Nerve)
SLIDESHOW
Ear Infection Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment See SlideshowPictures, Images, Illustrations & Quizzes
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Balance Disorders: Vertigo, Motion Sickness, Labyrinthitis, and More
What is vertigo? What causes dizziness? Understand different balance disorders and symptoms such as vertigo, motion sickness,...
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Ear Infection Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Is it possible to prevent ear infections? Take the Ear Infection (Otitis Media) Quiz to learn the risks, causes, symptoms and...
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Ear Infection Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Learn about the causes and symptoms of ear infections and how they are diagnosed and treated. Read about treatments such as ear...
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Tinnitus: Why Are My Ears Ringing?
What is tinnitus? Explore tinnitus (ringing in the ears) causes, symptoms, relief remedies, treatments and prevention tips. Learn...
Causes of Ringing in Ears
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Cauliflower Ear
Cauliflower ear, or "boxer's ear," is caused by an injury to the ear, usually by blunt trauma from sports such as boxing, wrestling, or martial arts. When hematomas form, infection and eardrum injury may occur in addition to hearing loss if not treated. Treatment goals are to drain blood from hematomas, treat infection, and at times administer antibiotics to prevent further infection.
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Earwax Removal
Earwax (ear wax) is a natural substance secreted by special glands in the skin on the outer part of the ear canal. It repels water, and traps dust and sand particles. Usually a small amount of wax accumulates, dries up, and then falls out of the ear canal carrying with it unwanted particles. Under ideal circumstances, you should never have to clean your ear canals. The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection. Ear wax may accumulate in the ear for a variety of reasons including; narrowing of the ear canal, production of less ear wax due to aging, or an overproduction of ear wax in response to trauma or blockage within the ear canal.
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Fabry Disease
Fabry disease (Fabry's disease, alpha-galactosidase-A) is a genetic disorder with symptoms such as burning sensations in the hands, small-raised reddish-purplish blemishes on the skin, fever, decreases sweating, and gastrointestinal (GI) difficulties. Fabry disease patients are at increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke. Symptoms of Fabry disease can be treated with medication.
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How Can I Unclog My Ears at Home?
Clogged or stuffy ears may cause considerable discomfort that includes ear fullness, dizziness, muffled hearing, ringing in the ears and ear pain. Home remedies to unclog your ears include chewing, ear irrigation, performing the Valsalva maneuver, applying warm compresses, using OTC nasal decongestants or or putting oil drops or hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear.
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How Can You Unblock Your Ear?
There are times when your ears get clogged for various reasons. This can cause pain and discomfort and may affect your hearing. Chewing gum, eating hard candy, yawning, gargling and other strategies may help you unclog your ears.
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How Do I Know if I Have Papilledema?
What is papilledema and what are the symptoms? Learn the signs of papilledema, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
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How Do You Get Rid of Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)?
Tinnitus is not a condition in itself, but a symptom of some other condition that causes a high-pitched whine, a ringing, buzzing or clicking in the ears. It can come from any number of problems starting with the eardrum and cochlea – the organs that turn sound waves into electrical signals for the brain to interpret as sound.
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Is Pseudotumor Cerebri Serious?
Pseudotumor cerebri is a medical condition that causes increased pressure inside the skull (intracranial pressure). This is due to increased fluid accumulation inside the skull. This fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced inside the brain cavities and lubricates the coverings of the brain.
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Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever that causes flu-like symptoms. Ribavirin is the standard treatment for Lassa fever. Hearing loss is a common complication of Lassa fever.
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Meniere's Disease
Meniere disease (idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops) is an inner ear disorder with symptoms that include vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and the sensation of ear fullness. The primary treatments for Meniere disease are diuretics, anti-vertigo, anti-nausea, and low salt diets. Surgery may be recommended if the vertigo cannot be controlled with medication.
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Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
A middle ear infection (otitis media) can cause earache, temporary hearing loss, and pus drainage from the ear. It is most common in babies, toddlers, and young children. Learn about causes and treatment.
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Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disorder that causes symptoms like pain, clicking, and popping of the jaw. TMJ is caused by injury to the temporomandibular joint. Stress, poor posture, jaw trauma, genetic predisposition, and inflammatory disorders are risk factors for the condition. A variety of self-care measures (application of ice, use of over-the-counter pain medication, massage, relaxation techniques) and medical treatment options (dental splint, Botox, prescription medications, surgery) are available to manage TMJ. The prognosis of TMJ is good with proper treatment.
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What Happens After Endolymphatic Sac Decompression Surgery?
Endolymphatic sac decompression surgery is done to drain excess fluid from the inner ear. After this surgery, the operated ear is covered with a Glasscock dressing, which is a special dressing applied to keep the pressure on the site to reduce swelling. There is usually some tenderness and discomfort in the operated ear and throat (from the breathing tube inserted during surgery), which may be controlled by painkillers.
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What Is an Endolymphatic Shunt?
An endolymphatic shunt is a surgical procedure that involves placing a small silicone tube in the inner ear to drain excess fluid. This procedure can reverse damage to the ear due to fluid buildup.
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What Is the CPT Code for Foreign Body Removal From the Ear?
The current procedural terminology (CPT) code for foreign body removal from the ear without general anesthesia is 69200. The type of removal described in this procedure includes the removal of foreign bodies under direct visualization with an otoscope (an instrument for examining the ear).
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Who Is Most Affected by Tinnitus?
Learn what medical treatments can help ease your tinnitus symptoms and help you manage this condition. What is tinnitus and what are the main causes of tinnitus? Learn more about this tinnitus and what you can do about tinnitus.
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Why Is My Ear Draining Yellow Fluid?
Have you noticed yellow fluid draining from your ear? Learn about ear discharge and what to do if it happens to you.
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