What causes ringing in the ear is primarily a medical condition. Thus, although tinnitus is only a symptom and not a medical condition in itself, it should not be taken for granted. Its effects may also impede with your daily activities or even prevent you from functioning normally in the society.

As the presence of the unwanted sound may mean that you are suffering from an unhealthy condition, consult your doctor about it, and he or she can run certain tests to determine the root cause. Having the root cause determined will also help you find the appropriate treatment.

What causes ringing in the ear of the majority of the sufferers is noise-induced cochlear damage, around 90%, to be more specific. It is usually brought about by listening to MP3 players or stereos for hours at a high volume as well as going to very noisy places like rock concerts and pubs without wearing protection devices such as earplugs. This prolonged exposure to loud noises causes the tiny hairs in the cochlea to get bent or broken. When this happens, electrical impulses are randomly transmitted to the brain, and they are interpreted as sound. Thus, you perceive a sound even though there is no external source.

Stress can also cause tinnitus, and this is because of the workings of the hypothalamus. It is a primitive part of the brain that controls different systems in the body including the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system. The hypothalamus and the systems it controls are responsible for producing certain chemicals that the body needs to work properly and normally. However, when the hypothalamus is exposed to continued stress, it fails to produce those essential chemicals. In effect, unhealthy conditions arise, including ringing ears.

Sinus problems or allergies and Meniere's Disease are also known causes. People who suffer from sinus problems or allergies take medications, usually antibiotics and antihistamines, to treat the conditions. These medications can actually make the mucous in the middle ear to become viscous, which then becomes difficult to drain out of the middle ear via the Eustachian tube. Pressure buildup then takes place, leading to middle ear infections and ringing in the ears. Meniere' Disease, on the other hand, is a chronic inner ear disorder, the symptoms of which include vertigo, hearing fluctuations, and tinnitus.

Presbycusis or age-associated loss of hearing, muscle tension, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disorder, and circulatory problems like hypertension and atherosclerosis are also included on the list of what causes ringing in the ear.