A persistent, high pitched ringing, swooshing or other type of noise that seems to originate in the ear or head is called tinnitus. It is a very annoying symptom, as the noise may continue day and night without relief and drown out quieter noises that the person is trying to hear. In most cases tinnitus is not a serious problem and can be treated or in time will simply go away.
Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition. One of the most common conditions associated with tinnitus is presbyacusis (hearing loss with age). Tinnitus is also associated with conditions such as wax in the outer ear canal, middle ear infections, otosclerosis (fixation of the middle ear bone), Meniere’s syndrome ( a problem affecting both hearing and balance) and acoustic neuroma ( a small, rare tumor of the acoustic nerve). If head noises persist, particularly if they are on one side or are associated with loss of hearing or dizziness, medical attention is recommended.
Rare causes include persistent high blood pressure, some neuroses (eg. schizophrenia), altitude sickness (ascending rapidly to heights over 3000m), Costen syndrome (abnormal stresses are placed on the jaw joint and muscles of chewing) and Cogan syndrome. Excess caffeine from coffee, cola drinks or medications (e.g. Stimulants) can cause tinnitus as a side effect as may excess aspirin and some malaria medications (e.g. quinine). The cause is a build-up in the pressure of the fluid inside the hearing and balance mechanisms of the inner ear.
A full description of your symptoms can help your doctor determine the probable cause of your tinnitus. Your doctor will want to know if the noise is in one ear or both, how long you’ve had tinnitus, if you have trouble hearing or are prone to losing your balance.
Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom and can be caused by numerous conditions. To find out what may be causing your problem, a complete ENT examination and special tests may be necessary. The key to successful treatment of tinnitus is getting the most accurate diagnosis possible.