Ringing in the Ears | Ask the Expert: Dr. Smedley Ear, Nose and Throat Care with Utica Park Clinic

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Question:

What causes ringing in the ears and how can I stop it?

Answer:

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, has many different causes. It has often been described as buzzing, ringing, crickets, chirping, pulsing, whooshing and many others. Hearing loss, medications, injury and even our anatomy can play a part. One ear or both ears can be impacted.

The key with tinnitus is to identify what it is, or what it is not. The first step is to see an audiologist for a hearing test (or audiogram). Another step is to discuss your medications with your primary care provider. Pay close attention to when you notice the tinnitus happening. People often find that it is worse at night or in a quiet environment.

Another key is to identify whether it is pulsatile (pulsation sound that may or may not correlate with your heartbeat) or non-pulsatile (a constant ringing or chirping sound.) If it is in one ear only, make sure to let your care providers know, as this is very helpful information.

Changes to medication, the audiogram (hearing test) and potentially some imaging can all be helpful in determining what is causing your tinnitus. Most commonly, it is the result of some level of hearing loss. Much like a blown speaker, the sound waves are distorted by injury to the hearing mechanism and the body creates a sound where there is no sound.

Once the cause is established and the most concerning possibilities are ruled out, efforts can be made to improve the day-to-day experience. If hearing loss is the cause, hearing aids can be immensely helpful. Frequently, the symptoms are worse at night when trying to sleep. For this, make sure to have a baseline of background noise to help cancel out the ringing. A box fan, background music or some other calming background noise can make it easier to sleep. Finally, as difficult as it may seem, the next step is to ignore the sound. The more attention paid to it, the more persistent it becomes.

There are apps and other resources available to assist in creating a soothing background noise that can help you sleep. They do not need to have a high cost to be effective. Don’t break the bank chasing a cure before you have identified the cause. My recommendation would be to first identify the cause with your audiologist and primary care physician. Consultation with an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist (Otolaryngologist) is often a part of this treatment plan. Once we have a comfortable idea of what is happening with your tinnitus, further recommendations can be made to help manage the day-to-day impact.