Tinnitus Causes

If you hear ringing, buzzing or swishing noises in your ear, you may have a condition called tinnitus. This condition is usually more of a nuisance than a health threat. However, in severe cases, tinnitus can cause problems sleeping or concentrating. It can also cause stress, depression and irritability. Several different things can cause you to develop tinnitus.

Most common causes of tinnitus

One of the most common causes of tinnitus is cell damage in the inner ear. Hairs in the inner ear can get broken or bent. When this happens, the hairs may send random electrical impulses to your brain. Your brain interprets these impulses as sounds, and you hear strange noises in your ear. Other common causes include damage due to exposure to loud noises, hearing loss due to aging, a blockage of wax in your ear canal and bone growth in the ear that is abnormal.

Other causes of tinnitus

There are several less common causes of tinnitus. Meniere's disease can cause tinnitus. It also causes vertigo and progressive hearing loss. If you are noticing these other symptoms, you may need to ask your doctor about the possibility of Meniere's disease. Other less common causes include neck and head tumors or injuries, problems with the temperomandibular joint (where your skull and lower jawbone meet), high blood pressure and some medications.

If it turns out that you have tinnitus, what happens next depends on the cause. Doctors can remove wax blockages, treat certain conditions or change your medication. If the cause is not clear, your doctor may help you alleviate the problem by suggesting ways to suppress the sound, such as a hearing aid or a white-noise machine.