Possible Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a very uncomfortable condition in which a sufferer will hear buzzing, whooshing, hissing or ringing noises in one or both ears. These noises can be present some of the time or all of the time, depending on the particular situation. Tinnitus can be caused by a number of different things. Here are the top four possible causes behind tinnitus.

1. Earwax

If too much earwax has built up inside of your ears, then it can actually press against the eardrum and create the symptoms of tinnitus. If you are experiencing tinnitus, this should be one of the first things that you rule out. Schedule an appointment to have an audiologist take a look inside of your ear if you believe that wax might be causing your tinnitus.

2. Head or neck injuries

If you have been in a car accident, if you took a bad fall or if you believe that your head or neck has been injured for some other reason, then this could possibly be the cause of your tinnitus. In many cases, an audiologist will be able to help resolve structural issues in your ear. So, if you think this could be the cause of your tinnitus, then you should schedule an appointment with an audiologist to be evaluated.

3. Ear infections

Ear infections are another thing that could potentially be causing your tinnitus. This could especially be true if you also have an earache, or a sore throat. If you think that you might be experiencing some sort of ear infection, then you should see your audiologist to get it checked out. If an ear infection is at the root of your tinnitus, then it is possible that antibiotic treatment could resolve the issue.

4. Repeated exposure to very loud noise

This is one of the most common causes of tinnitus, and it is often the most difficult to treat. In fact, sometimes, there is no effective treatment for this cause of tinnitus. This is because if a person is exposed to loud noises, repeatedly, then the sensory hair cells on the cochlea in the inner ear can become damaged. This can lead to tinnitus. Avoid loud noises to prevent this cause of tinnitus from happening to you.

Schedule an appointment with an audiologist in your area if you’re experiencing symptoms of tinnitus. There are a number of relief options, from medication to hearing aids, which can provide the tinnitus treatment you need.