What Causes Ringing in the Ear

77
rate or flag this page

By JJC13



What causes ringing in the ear is one important question that both a sufferer and a non-sufferer of tinnitus have to ask. For one, it helps us prevent from having to experience the haunting noise. Another thing is that it would help a sufferer find the right treatment for him or her.

One thing that you have to learn about ringing ears is that it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Thus, logically, it is caused by a certain unhealthy medical condition. It should then not be taken for granted because while it is not life-threatening in itself, it can have serious effects and implications.

On top of the list if what causes ringing in the ear is cochlear damage due to sudden or repeated exposure to loud noises. Studies show that around 90% of the cases of tinnitus is caused by noise-induced cochlear damage. You hear a ringing sound even though there is no external source because when the tiny hairs in the cochlea get bent or broken due to noise, random electrical impulses are sent to the auditory nerve, which the brain interprets as sound.

Another main cause of the unwanted sound is stress. You may ask, what has stress got to do with it? What happens is that when the hypothalamus is exposed to continued or prolonged stress, it fails to play its part in the production of chemicals that the body needs to work normally. As you might have known, the hypothalamus is a primitive part of the brain that controls several systems in the body including the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. As the essential chemicals are not produced, unhealthy conditions take place, including ringing in the ears.

Then there is sinusitis or allergies. When people suffer from either of the conditions, they take antibiotics or antihistamines. These medications can cause the mucous in the middle ear to thicken, resulting in the buildup of pressure. In effect, middle ear infections as well as tinnitus take place.

Ear ringing is also one of the notable symptoms of Meniere's Disease. Meniere's Disease is a chronic inner ear disorder, which is also marked by vertigo and hearing fluctuations.

What causes ringing in the ear can also either be age-related hearing loss, head and neck injuries, muscle tension, thyroid disorder, vitamin B12 deficiency, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and malformation of the capillaries. It is then essential that you go visit your physician immediately if you experience tinnitus.


Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub

No comments yet.

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites

working