Reasons for Ringing in the Ears

It can be very irritating when all of a sudden you get an incessant ringing noise in your ears. Tinnitus, the technical term for this occurrence, can be caused by a number of things.

Exposure to Loud Noise

• One of the most common causes of tinnitus is the exposure to loud music or noise. This is why you may notice a ringing in your ears after going to a night club or concert or listening to your iPod too loudly.

Earwax Blockage

• Unlike exposure to loud music, a buildup of earwax might be occurring without your knowledge. This buildup can lead to a gradual onset of the ringing sensation.

Changes in Ear Bones

• A change to the inner ear bones, no matter how drastic, is another common cause of tinnitus. This change is often the stiffening of the inner ear bones caused by abnormal bone growth, which is genetic.

Medications

• Commonly used medications, such as aspirin in high doses, water pills and antibiotics, have also been found to increase or cause tinnitus. If you have recently been put under anesthesia, that medication could also be a possible cause of the ringing in your ears.

Hearing Loss

• One of the first symptoms of permanent hearing loss can be a constant ringing in the ears. If you have eliminated most other causes of your tinnitus, consider seeing a doctor for a hearing test and inner ear exam.