Why Your Ears Are Ringing?

Do you ever find yourself at the end of a long day only to be confronted with a buzzing in your ears that just won’t seem to fade away? Old wives' tales said that ringing in the ears meant someone was talking about you. Today we know that a ringing in the ears is the sound of tinnitus, and About 10 percent of the U.S. adult population, or about 25 million US citizens have experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year! There are a lot of factors that create tinnitus. So why are your ears ringing?

What is Tinnitus?!

Tinnitus is a phantom sound with no external source and can manifest as all sorts of sounds including a roar, hum, buzz, or ring. Some people even experience phantom music. Most people experience tinnitus briefly – it comes as fast as it goes, however, according to the American Tinnitus Association nearly 20 million people have tinnitus which is considered chronic, while around two million experience tinnitus conditions that are extreme and debilitating. When tinnitus won’t recede it’s common for it to interrupt sleep, increase stress and anxiety, as well as make it difficult to concentrate during the day. No one knows exactly what causes tinnitus. Though 90% of people who suffer from tinnitus also suffer from hearing loss, it’s more complicated than that.

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Many people experience hearing loss along with tinnitus and researchers suspect this is due to similar areas of the ear which are affected by both conditions. The most common type of hearing loss is called sensorineural and occurs when the tiny hair-like cells of the inner ear are damaged. These hair-like cells are called stereocilia and are the sole transport of sound from the ears to the auditory cortex in the brain. This is where sound is processed and language and sounds are comprehended. It’s believed by many experts that damage to the stereocilia may also cause tinnitus. The concept is that when the stereocilia are damaged they can send a sort of feedback to the brain which we interpret as the distracting effects of tinnitus.

Exposure to loud noise

One of the greatest factors contributing to hearing loss in people of all ages is exposure to loud noise. Have you ever left a loud concert or sports game and felt like your ears are ringing? While the tinnitus may recede, it symbolizes that you have been exposed to noise loud enough to damage your hearing permanently. For this reason, needs to wear hearing protection whenever you suspect you are in the presence of dangerous decibels.

The volume of sound is measured in decibels. Noise above 70 decibels (dB) may not be immediately damaging but when exposed to it for more than 24 hours it can start to cause damage and increase stress levels. Once sounds reach 85 dB or higher they can be loud enough to damage your ears after 8 hours of constant exposure. However, as the decibels rise the time it takes for damage to occur quickly shrinks. At 120 bB, the sound of a noisy concert, sports arena, or nightclub, your ears can sustain damage and lifelong tinnitus immediately!

Meniere’s Disease

Meniere's disease is a rare disorder of the inner ear that affects balance, and hearing and causes tinnitus. It can come on unexpectedly and last hours or days leaving you nauseous, dizzy, and with temporary hearing impairment. No one knows what causes it though it’s believed to be a viral infection. Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition and while there is no cure, medications such as diuretics may prevent attacks.

Middle Ear Infections

Middle ear infections, also called otitis media, are much more common in young children, but people of all ages experience them. When the fluid becomes trapped in the inner ear it can cause tinnitus and blockage of sound to the ear. While they often clear up on their own, often an antibiotic is prescribed to reduce swelling, return hearing to normal, and quell tinnitus symptoms.

Ototoxic Medication

The American Tinnitus Association reports that over 450 prescription and over-the-counter drugs can contribute to tinnitus symptoms or make existing cases more severe. This includes certain antibiotics, diuretics, cancer medications, erectile dysfunction medications, and even Aspirin! Talk to your doctor about your medications and make informed decisions!

Treating Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is common with tinnitus and can increase issues of stress due to communication issues, which could make tinnitus even more noticeable. If you are concerned about your hearing health it’s never a bad choice to have your hearing tested. Schedule an appointment with us today!