Audiology
Conditions We Treat
Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is not a disease. It's a symptom that can be caused by a number of medical conditions. These include:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Ear injuries
- Circulatory system problems
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Prolonged exposure to loud noise is the
most common source of persistent tinnitus.
- Wax build-up in the ear canal—Excess
earwax can compromise hearing and make tinnitus seem louder.
If you produce a lot of earwax, ask an audiologist or
doctor about having it removed safely by a health professional.
Attempts to remove earwax yourself with cotton swabs or other
objects can make the
condition worse and cause additional damage.
- Ototoxic medications—Certain medications
may produce tinnitus as a side effect. Before taking any medication,
make sure that your prescribing physician is aware
of your tinnitus.
- Ear or sinus infections—Many people,
including children, experience tinnitus along with an ear or
sinus infection.
Usually, the symptoms gradually go away as
the infection heals.
- Jaw misalignment—Misaligned jaw joints,
termed temporomandibular jaw syndrome (TMJ), can induce
tinnitus along with a number of other problems. Dentists who
specialize
in this condition can provide treatment.
- Cardiovascular disease—A small percentage
of tinnitus patients experience rhythmic pulsing sounds, often
in time with their heartbeat.
- Head and neck trauma
- Ménière's disease—The
result of increased pressure in the inner ear, Meniere’s
disease may also cause fluctuating hearing loss and vertigo.
- Otosclerosis—Characterized by the
abnormal growth of bone of the middle ear, otosclerosis prevents
structures
within the ear from working properly and can
cause tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, and balance problems.
- Tumors—In rare cases, benign, slow-growing tumors on auditory, vestibular, or facial nerves can cause tinnitus as well as deafness, facial paralysis, and balance problems.
Learn More About Tinnitus