Information About Ringing in Ears

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a common phenomenon that occurs at some point in the lives of one in five people, according to the Mayo Clinic. About 15 percent of people in the United States suffer prolonged periods of tinnitus that require medical diagnosis or treatment, reports the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Causes

• The most common causes of ringing in the ears are inner ear damage due to an injury or infection, hearing loss, exposure to loud noise, earwax blockages or changes in the bones within your ear known as osteosclerosis. Less common causes include Meniere's disease, hypertension, hardening of the arteries, stress, head and neck injuries, benign brain tumors and prescription medications.

Types

• Tinnitus can affect one or both ears and is sometimes perceived as occurring outside the ear rather than inside, according to American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Time Frame

• If tinnitus persists for more than one week, the Mayo Clinic suggests that you seek medical attention, as this may be a sign of an underlying illness. It is also important to talk to your doctor if tinnitus is accompanied by dizziness or hearing loss.

Treatment

• In some cases, treatment of tinnitus involves treating the underlying condition that causes the ringing in your ears, such as removing earwax, switching prescription medications or starting on medicine for hypertension or heart disease. In other cases, prescription medications and hearing aids are used to decrease the amount of ringing in your ears.

Prevention

• Using hearing protection when participating in noisy activities or work and avoiding exposure to loud music or other noises can help you reduce your chances of developing ringing in your ears. Regular exercise and a healthy diet help protect you from cardiovascular disease and hypertension that contribute to the condition, reports the Mayo Clinic.