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What Causes Persistent Tinnitus?
Question: Im having ringing in my ears. It use to come and go but seems to be constant.
Brief Answer:
Many causes of it- some advises given
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
The ringing in the ear is called in medical terms tinnitus and is very common with age and many causes of it are identified. Sometimes a hearing problem might be associated with it also.
Wax is a common cause of tinnitus and hearing loss.
Some medications might cause tinnitus (present or in the past), if you have been exposed for a long time in loud noise is a very contributing factor.
Trauma of the ear, infections might be a cause.
Sometimes it might be related to blood vessels and is very important that you have had a check with your doctor in the last year or two on lipids, sugar levels in blood and other tests.
For how long do you have this on and off and how long ago did it become constant?
What kind of noise is it?
Do you think you also have some hearing loss or ears feel blocked?
Any pain in the ears, blocked nose or allergic rhinitis?
Have you ever had a check for this?
Are you taking any medications recently?
To conclude I would say:
1. there are many causes of tinnitus, the ones I mentioned are a grouped list and there is a lot of information needed to find the cause of it.
2. you need to have a general check with blood tests and heart check if you have not had one in the last 1-2 years as vessel problems might cause tinnitus also.
3. A very good tests as first investigation for tinnitus is called audiogramme- this would give some more clues of the cause if it originates in the ear.
4. if you think might be a chance that wax is the cause of it, you can try 2-3 drops of olive oil in the ear that has the tinnitus, 3 times a day for 2-3 days and the wax should melt and drain out.
5. If you have tinnitus for less than a month- there is no need to rush if you otherwise feel well and have not other symptoms; you can wait another couple of weeks and see how it is going and see a doctor if it does not settle in 2 weeks or earlier checks if any worsening.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your questions but please feel free to reply in case more clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Many causes of it- some advises given
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
The ringing in the ear is called in medical terms tinnitus and is very common with age and many causes of it are identified. Sometimes a hearing problem might be associated with it also.
Wax is a common cause of tinnitus and hearing loss.
Some medications might cause tinnitus (present or in the past), if you have been exposed for a long time in loud noise is a very contributing factor.
Trauma of the ear, infections might be a cause.
Sometimes it might be related to blood vessels and is very important that you have had a check with your doctor in the last year or two on lipids, sugar levels in blood and other tests.
For how long do you have this on and off and how long ago did it become constant?
What kind of noise is it?
Do you think you also have some hearing loss or ears feel blocked?
Any pain in the ears, blocked nose or allergic rhinitis?
Have you ever had a check for this?
Are you taking any medications recently?
To conclude I would say:
1. there are many causes of tinnitus, the ones I mentioned are a grouped list and there is a lot of information needed to find the cause of it.
2. you need to have a general check with blood tests and heart check if you have not had one in the last 1-2 years as vessel problems might cause tinnitus also.
3. A very good tests as first investigation for tinnitus is called audiogramme- this would give some more clues of the cause if it originates in the ear.
4. if you think might be a chance that wax is the cause of it, you can try 2-3 drops of olive oil in the ear that has the tinnitus, 3 times a day for 2-3 days and the wax should melt and drain out.
5. If you have tinnitus for less than a month- there is no need to rush if you otherwise feel well and have not other symptoms; you can wait another couple of weeks and see how it is going and see a doctor if it does not settle in 2 weeks or earlier checks if any worsening.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your questions but please feel free to reply in case more clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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. Raju A.T
Answered by
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