Doctor's Notes on Tinnitus
Tinnitus is an abnormal sensation in the ear that can be due to a number of different diseases and conditions. Tinnitus may be described as a:
- buzzing,
- ringing,
- clicking,
- humming,
- roaring, or
- pulsating noise.
It can occur in one or both ears and may be intermittent or constant. Tinnitus can arise from disturbances in any part of the ear. Some of the possible causes of tinnitus include muscle spasms, Meniere’s disease, problems with the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint, damage to the nerves of the ear, increases in blood flow, or trauma to the head or ear.
Symptoms and signs associated with tinnitus are variable and depend on the exact cause. Other symptoms can include:
- ear pain,
- problems with hearing,
- sleep disturbances,
- problems with balance,
- anxiety,
- depression, and
- difficulty concentrating.
What Is the Treatment for Tinnitus?
Treatment for tinnitus depends on the underlying cause of the problem:
- Medications used to manage the symptoms or underlying conditions may include:
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications,
- sleep medications, or
- tricyclic antidepressants.
- Surgery is the recommended treatment for tumors or structural abnormalities that cause tinnitus.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy is a form of treatment that aims to retrain the nerve pathways associated with hearing, which may allow the brain to get used to the abnormal sounds of tinnitus.
Ear Infection : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz

Ear infection or acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear.
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Can Tinnitus Go Away on Its Own?
Tinnitus is a perception of a noise that seems to originate in the ear or head in the absence of an external source. Tinnitus as a symptom of another condition may be temporary. About one-quarter of tinnitus sufferers report increased tinnitus severity over time, however. Chronic tinnitus usually does not go away completely. -
Decompression Sickness
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Dizziness
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Ear Squeeze
Ear squeeze can affect a person while scuba diving. The adverse effects of pressure changes cause ear squeeze. Symptoms of ear squeeze include ear pain, fullness in the ear, tinnitus, hearing loss, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and a discharge from the nose, mouth, or ear. Medical care should be sought if a person suffers from ear squeeze. -
Earwax (Excess Buildup and Blockage)
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Foreign Body (Object) in the Ear
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Hearing Loss
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Meniere's Disease
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Middle Ear Infection
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Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder
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Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa)
Swimmer's ear (also called otitis externa) is caused by a break in the skin lining the ear canal and outer ear, allowing bacteria or fungi to infect the ear. Excessive moisture in the ear, earplugs, headphones, hearing aids, and chemical hair dyes, bleaches, or shampoos may also cause swimmer's ear. The most common symptom of swimmer's ear is pain. Treatment depends on the extensiveness of the infection. -
What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition that causes a person to hear a noise, usually a ringing, coming from inside their head or ear(s), which can occur in one or both ears. Treatment for tinnitus can include hearing aids, cochlear implants, surgery, behavioral therapies, masking devices, medication changes, and more.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.