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What Causes Persistent Hissing Noise In The Ears?
Question: I have a hissing noise on the left side, either in my ear or my head. It started months ago just in the evenings and disappeared when I went to bed. A week after taking 25mcg levothyroxine (had a borderline TSH blood test) it became persistent all day and at night. I found 5mg diazepam allowed me to sleep. I was only on the thyroxine for 3 weeks because the other side effects were driving me mad. The hissing noise now some weeks later occasionally disappears for a day (it's heaven), but then returns. Is it in my ear or my head?
Brief Answer:
it is in the ear, called tinnitus
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The sound is likely in your ear, it is called tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the hearing of a sound when no external sound or source is present.
It can present with different types of sounds such as ringing, buzzing, hissing, roaring, clicking.
There are different possible causes, some of these are: (1) age related hearing loss
(2)infection
(3)trauma to the ear
(4)anemia
(5)meniere's disease
(6)side effect of medication
(7)mass
An ENT doctor would be able to assess and possibly determine the cause,in some persons a cause cannot be found.
If it is related to ear wax, anemia, side effect of medication or infection then treatment of these specific conditions would help.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
it is in the ear, called tinnitus
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The sound is likely in your ear, it is called tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the hearing of a sound when no external sound or source is present.
It can present with different types of sounds such as ringing, buzzing, hissing, roaring, clicking.
There are different possible causes, some of these are: (1) age related hearing loss
(2)infection
(3)trauma to the ear
(4)anemia
(5)meniere's disease
(6)side effect of medication
(7)mass
An ENT doctor would be able to assess and possibly determine the cause,in some persons a cause cannot be found.
If it is related to ear wax, anemia, side effect of medication or infection then treatment of these specific conditions would help.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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