Tinnitus Causes – Learn What Causes Ringing In The Ears

Because tinnitus is merely a symptom of a larger underlying problem or condition rather than an actual disease, there can be a number of causes. The cause of a certain person’s tinnitus depends on the individual and it can be anything from noise damage to head trauma. The root cause of one’s tinnitus can be pinpointed by narrowing down the possibilities from a list of common causes.

Causes of Subjective Tinnitus

Subjective tinnitus is considered to be the most common type and it can therefore have a number of causes. Also the severity of the sounds which those who have this type of tinnitus hear can vary along with pitch. There are many different explanations as to why someone develops subjective tinnitus, which is when only the person who has this condition can hear the sounds they perceive.

Noise damage is one of the more common causes of tinnitus and it is often times associated with hearing loss. If certain parts of the inner ear become too damaged from excessive noise over time, one can develop problems with tinnitus to some degree. Subjective tinnitus in particular is commonly associated with sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused by the damage of nerves and hair cells in the ear.

Earwax blockage can be another explanation as to why someone could begin to hear a buzzing or ringing sound. Certain people create more earwax than others and over time it can become a problem, leading to congestion of the ear canal and therefore a buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound.

Head and neck injuries have also been known to cause problems with tinnitus for certain people. Neurological disorders can take a toll on the inner ear as well as hearing nerves and certain functions performed by the brain which are related to hearing.

Stress and anxiety, although they may not be a direct cause of tinnitus, stress has been known to aggravate it quite a bit in those who already have this problem. High blood pressure is another factor in determining the severity of a person’s tinnitus and can have a direct impact on how someone who has it perceives these sounds with regards to pitch and intensity.

Ototoxic medications have also been known to cause tinnitus, including various antibiotics such as erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin. Even over-the-counter medications such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen can worsen tinnitus if taken in high doses. Diuretics or water pills such as furosemide and bumetanide can also cause tinnitus or make it worse.

Causes of Objective Tinnitus

Objective tinnitus is considerably rarer than subjective tinnitus and it involves someone who perceives certain noises which can also be heard by others who listen closely enough. With this type of tinnitus, doctors are usually able to determine the root cause and prescribe the appropriate medication or surgery as needed.

Vascular Causes

With regards to objective tinnitus, vascular conditions are often the culprit. These causes are rather simple and slightly easier to understand than some of the other possible explanations. It is not uncommon for many people to experience mild temporary tinnitus after doing something such as working out at the gym or even an intense emotional experience. This is due to the fact that blood is racing through the vessels at such a high speed, sometimes causing a whooshing or ringing sound to occur.