Wait—Why Is My Ear Ringing? Audiologists Explain When You Should Worry

Woman experiencing ear ringing

Phone ringing has become somewhat obsolete thanks to vibration mode on mobile devices. However, ear ringing? That annoying occurrence is still around. The National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that about 25 million people, or 10% of U.S. adults, have experienced ear ringing, or tinnitus, lasting at least five minutes in the past year. 

So, if you're left wondering why it happens, know two things: First, you're not alone, and two, it's a good question.

"Some find its presence relatively benign, while others find it annoying and bothersome," says Amy Sarow, AUD, CCC-A, the lead audiologist at Soundly. "For some, it's even delibating...[and] just understanding more about what it is can help to alleviate anxiety about what tinnitus is and why it happens."

So, why does it happen? Experts answered the most common questions they hear about ear ringing. 

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What Is Ear Ringing Called?

"Tinnitus" is the medical term for ear ringing, explains Rebecca Lewis, AuD, an audiologist and audiology director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California. 

"Tinnitus isn’t a condition on its own," Lewis says. "It is a symptom of an underlying condition such as hearing loss or other potential health issues. It is important to understand tinnitus as it relates to your overall health. As with many health conditions, early diagnosis and treatment leads to greater outcomes."

What Causes Ear Ringing?

Lewis explains that ear ringing can have many causes, but it is usually caused by some degree of hearing loss. Lewis and the Hearing Loss Association of America statistics note that 90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss.

"Tinnitus is an increase in spontaneous nerve activity in the absence of sound," Lewis says. "In cases of hearing loss, the brain fills in the gaps where hearing loss is present with spontaneous neural activity. Instead of hearing silence, you hear the ringing sound."

The reasons for hearing loss can vary, though.

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1. Ear wax

Hearing loss can sound scary. However, it may be caused by something benign. 

"It can start with something as simple as a lot of ear wax that is blocking off the ear, which can cause tinnitus," says Dr. Ruth Reisman, AUD, MBA, CCC-A, a licensed audiologist and co-owner of Urban Hearing.

2. Infections

Ear infections are more than just a pesky, painful condition. They can do a number on the auditory system and trigger tinnitus.

"Ear infections can interfere with sound transmission, causing a ringing sensation in the ear," Lewis says. "Infections cause inflammation and fluid buildup, which disturb the auditory system, resulting in tinnitus."

3. Age

Reisman says ear ringing frequency can increase with age—something patients can't reverse. A study published in 2023 published in 2023 also found that tinnitus became more prevalent as people aged, with occurrences of it peaking in people 75 to 79 years old.

4. Exposure to loud sounds

You may attend a parade or loud concerts and notice short-term hearing loss and ear ringing. Or, you may work somewhere with loud noises, such as from machinery. 

"These noise exposures can lead to a temporary shift in hearing accompanied by tinnitus, which usually resolves after 16 to 18 hours," Lewis says. "These exposures can cause temporary disarticulations between outer hair cells and the tectorial membrane in the cochlea, which cause the temporary shift in hearing levels and tinnitus."

The resolution may seem like a positive sign. However, Lewis stresses that people should avoid exposure to these events. "These are not benign events as they can cause long-term damage to the cells of the inner ear, the cochlea," Lewis says.

5. Lifestyle and medications

Lewis says that lifestyle choices and medications that can trigger ear ringing include:

• Increased consumption of caffeine and alcohol

• Lack of sleep

• Physical exhaustion

• Stress

• Medications like Asprin

6. Medical conditions or diseases

Lewis says that various chronic conditions or diseases may cause ear ringing, including:

• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A condition caused by increased fluid pressure in the brain. In addition to ear ringing, a patient may experience headaches and double vision.

• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ): Issues that can lead to pressure and blood flow changes to the ear, resulting in tinnitus).

• Meniere’s disease: An inner-ear disorder linked to ear fullness, dizziness and ear ringing.

• Atherosclerosis: A condition that reduces blood flow to the arteries in the ears, neck and head.

Is Ringing in One Ear Serious?

Sarow says that ringing in one year is known as unilateral tinnitus, and it doesn't always mean a serious condition is present. 

"There are many potential contributors to this phenomenon, such as an ear infection, a history of ear surgery or earwax impaction," Sarow says.

Still, Sarow recommends anyone with new onset unilateral tinnitus call their healthcare providers as it may be a sign of an underlying condition, like Meniere’s disease.

Is Ringing in Both Ears Serious?

Sarow says bilateral tinnitus is the most common type, and it doesn't always mean a person has a serious condition. However, individuals experiencing new onset bilateral tinnitus should also call a doctor. "Bilateral tinnitus is most commonly associated with some degree of underlying hearing loss," Sarow says. "If you’re concerned about ear ringing in both ears, it’s best to consult with a medical provider."

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How Can Someone Get Their Ears To Stop Ringing?

Unfortunately, Sarow says there's no cure for tinnitus. "However, that does not mean nothing can be done," Sarow says.

Treatments and symptom management for tinnitus vary. The first step a person experiencing tinnitus should take is determining the root cause, which means contacting a healthcare provider. 

"Addressing the root cause of tinnitus can often alleviate the ringing in the ears," Lewis says. "For example, managing earwax blockage, medications, blood pressure, stress, sleep, alcohol consumption, tobacco use or caffeine intake may be modifiable and alleviate ringing."

Lewis adds that therapy may also help people experiencing stress-related tinnitus.

Since hearing loss is typically part of tinnitus, hearing aids may help. "The use of hearing aids can mask tinnitus while improving hearing, making it less noticeable," Lewis says. "Sound therapies are also helpful for tinnitus sufferers, which can be in the form of white noise, a fan, nature sounds, calming music, smartphone applications or any background sound." 

Tinnitus Angel and myNoise are among the apps Lewis recommends.

How To Prevent Ear Ringing

Prevention is the best medicine and can prevent ear ringing from occurring in the first place or getting worse. "Limiting noise exposure is important," Lewis says. "Be sure to use appropriate hearing protection when you are at concerts, mowing the lawn or using machinery. There are sound level meter apps for the phone so that you can determine what type of hearing protection will place you at a safe listening level."

Listening to tunes or a podcast as you walk or run? "Monitor the level of your headphones as well," Lewis says. "Extended use of headphones at loud volumes can lead to greater degrees of tinnitus and hearing loss."

What To Do if You Have Questions About Ear Ringing

If you're concerned about ear ringing, your best bet is to see a professional.

"If someone is experiencing ringing in the ear, they should visit their local audiologist or ear nose and throat doctor to have their ears evaluated," Reisman says. "If treatment options are available, they will be discussed with the patient, and ongoing management and monitoring will be recommended as well."

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Sources

• Amy Sarow, AUD, CCC-A, the lead audiologist at Soudly

• Rebecca Lewis, AuD, an audiologist and Audiology Director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, Calif.

• Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD MBA CCC-A, a licensed audiologist and founder of Urban Hearing.