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ENT Conditions > Ear

Tinnitus

Noises in the ear are called Tinnitus. There is the sensation of a sound in the ear or head that is not being produced by an external source. The commonest form of sound is a rushing, hissing or buzzing noise. The sounds may be constant or come and go.

Causes and risk factors for tinnitus

Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss. For this reason it is more common in older people who have age-related hearing loss. Other causes of tinnitus are: exposure to loud noise, Ménière's disease, which results from an increased pressure in the inner ear and also causes deafness and vertigo, otosclerosis, a condition in which the small bones of the middle ear become immobile, ear infections and inflammation, wax in the ear, otitis media with effusion (an ear infection often known as 'glue ear' in children), acoustic neuroma, a benign (non-cancerous) tumour of the auditory nerve, which carries signals from the inner ear to the brain, high doses of drugs including aspirin, quinine and some antibiotics. Anaemia, head injury, low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism), disorders of the heart and blood vessels, particularly in the head, high blood pressure, an autoimmune disorders, problems with the joint between the jaws, which can also lead to pain in the head or face, an abnormality of the Eustachian tube, that can result in a whooshing sound.

Diagnosis

The type of sound heard with the tinnitus does not necessarily indicate what the underlying cause might be or whether the cause is serious or trivial. Your consultant will take account of your symptoms and may perform a number of tests, which include hearing tests, balance tests and blood tests. If a further investigation of the inner parts of the ear is required, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of your head may be organised.

Treatment

If an underlying disorder is the cause it will be treated appropriately. A hearing aid or masking device may be the appropriate treatment.

Stress, depression and anxiety can make tinnitus more of a problem and treatment of these conditions may help.