Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be caused by various factors such as ear infections, loud noises, medication, and medical conditions. It is important to seek medical evaluation to rule out serious conditions and determine appropriate treatment. In rare cases, tinnitus may be linked to a benign tumor that can be removed with surgery.
Ringing in the ears is commonly associated with a condition called tinnitus. Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, tinnitus can refer to a variety of persistent noises that a person may hear inside the ears rather than coming from outside. Other common sounds are buzzing, hissing, or static sounds. There are many things that can cause ringing or other tinnitus symptoms, and persistent noise should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out potentially dangerous conditions.
Some people may notice a slight ringing in their ears when they have a cold and develop ear infections. Something as innocent as wax buildup in the ears can also create a ringing. It is very common for people exposed to loud noises, such as at a rock concert, to temporarily damage their hearing, creating tinnitus. Acoustic trauma to the ears on a regular basis can cause significant hearing loss.
Several medications are also associated with this problem. Some forms of oral contraception have been linked to tinnitus, and some antibiotics may have it as a side effect. Most commonly, the noise is related to aspirin and ibuprofen; other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also create the problem. A common side effect of aspirin overdose is tinnitus, but the condition can also occur when the drugs are taken in smaller, safer amounts. People who take both drugs regularly may want to stop for a few days, with the approval of a healthcare professional, to see if that resolves the condition. Others find that reducing their caffeine intake can also alleviate this annoying problem.
Sometimes, ringing in the ears is linked to serious medical conditions. People with high blood pressure, thyroid deficiency, or diabetes may experience tinnitus on a regular basis. Those who experience continuous ringing should get a thorough medical checkup to rule out these dangerous conditions or to diagnose them and begin treatment.
In rare cases, ringing sounds are linked to a benign tumor called an acoustic neuroma. The tumor arises between the vestibular and cochlear nerve, often called the eighth vestibular-cochlear nerve. In most cases, the tumor occurs only on one side and the ringing is connected to only one side. Although the tumor is located near the brain, it can usually be removed with surgery and usually does not come back. Larger tumors can be difficult to remove and can damage hearing; the surgery is very delicate and patients must be monitored for potential hearing loss afterwards.
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