What Causes Loud Ringing in the Ears?

Hearing a loud ringing in your ears, which is also called tinnitus, can be painful, distracting and cause difficulty in communicating with others. Loud ringing in your ears may be a temporary condition, or it may progress to permanent loss of your hearing. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and the Mayo Clinic, the causes of loud ringing in your ears include lifestyle factors, injuries to your ears and certain chronic health conditions.

Aging

• Loud ringing in your ears can result from age related weakening of the auditory nerves in your ears and brain.

Loud Noise

• If your job or hobbies expose you to loud noises, you may experience loud ringing in your ears that may worsen if your exposure is frequent or prolonged.

Medications

• Taking medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, antibiotics and antidepressants may cause loud ringing in your ears.

Blockages

• Ringing in your ears may result from blockages in your ear from earwax, a foreign object or a buildup of fluid.

Bone Damage

• Damage to the bones of your ears from a head injury, abnormal bone growth or hardening of the inner ear bones may result in loud ringing.

Respiratory Disorders

• If you have chronic or frequent sinus infections or allergies, you may experience loud ringing in your ears as well as ear infections.