Ringing in the ears is also called tinnitus. It is a common disorder that is often benign in nature. Even though tinnitus is often benign, your physician and audiologist will need to examine you to determine the cause. Once the source of your tinnitus has been determined, a treatment plan can then be developed. Here are some tinnitus causes, symptoms, and diagnostic interventions to consider if you experience ringing in your ears.
Causes and Symptoms
Tinnitus can be temporary or permanent. It can be caused by constant exposure to loud music, working in a noisy environment, infections, and even certain medications known as ototoxic medications. Aspirin is known as an ototoxic drug because it can be toxic to your ears and cause hearing problems and tinnitus.
Aspirin-related ear problems are more likely to develop in those who take large doses or who have taken them for many years. Symptoms can be constant or they may come and go. People who suffer from permanent tinnitus may also experience anxiety because symptoms can diminish their quality of life and prevent them from concentrating.
Symptoms of tinnitus include ringing, buzzing, humming, clicking, or even swooshing sounds in one or both of your ears. You may also experience varying degrees of hearing loss or muffled hearing. A specific type of tinnitus known as pulsatile tinnitus can sound like a heartbeat or pulse inside your ears. Pulsatile tinnitus may be associated with circulation problems, however, the other types of tinnitus are often related to less serious causes.
Diagnosing Ringing In The Ears
Your healthcare provider will examine your ears with an otoscope to evaluate your eardrum for inflammation, redness, or fluid buildup. These signs may be indicative of an infection that can cause ringing in the ears.
Your provider will also administer a hearing test to evaluate your hearing acuity because tinnitus can often be related to hearing loss. It is important to note that your audiologist may recommend more than one hearing test because tinnitus and hearing loss can be temporary.
If you enjoy loud concerts on a frequent basis or if you are getting over an ear infection, your symptoms may only last for a short period of time. Because of this, a couple of hearing tests spaced a couple of months apart may be needed.
Your initial hearing test may reveal certain deficits such as the inability to hear tones at certain decibel levels, however, your hearing may revert back to normal by the time your subsequent test is administered.
If you experience ringing in your ears, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. When tinnitus is diagnosed and treated in its early stages you may be less likely to develop permanent symptoms and hearing loss. For more information, contact a company like Accurate Hearing Technology Inc.
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