Ringing in the ears is a symptom that can take many forms. Equally varied and often complex are the possible causes of ringing in the ears and treatment approaches to improve or cure them.
What is ringing in the ears?
Ringing in the ears is the medical term used to describe various noises in the ear or head that are usually only heard by a sufferer. Ringing in the ears is the medical term used to describe various noises in the ear or head that are usually heard only by a sufferer. Ringing in the ears is not based on any external triggers that produce sounds. A ringing in the ears can usually not be perceived by outsiders. A distinction is sometimes made between so-called objective and subjective ringing in the ears: If there is objective ringing in the ears, this can also be perceived by an ear specialist using a stethoscope, for example. In medical diagnostics, ringing in the ears is also assigned to the umbrella term of tinnitus; however, this is only the case if ear noises or ringing in the ears persist for a longer period of time. Even most healthy people have experienced ringing in the ears or ringing in the ears for short moments. However, these usually disappear after a short period of time.
Causes
Various causes that can lead to ringing in the ears are discussed by experts. An important cause is said to be the fact that an increasing number of noises in the everyday environment flow into the person. An example of the causes of temporary ringing in the ears can be attending an event with very loud music:
Often, a ringing in the ears is felt some time after the event, even though there is no longer a real acoustic stimulus. Other possible causes of ringing in the ears are emotional stress, anxiety or the feeling of being overwhelmed. The so-called objective ringing in the ears (i.e., ringing in the ears that can be made audible by medical devices) is usually based on organic damage or diseases. For example, these are suffered hearing falls and noise damage (which often do not heal completely again), but also diseases of the jaw or the cervical spine.
Diseases with this symptom
- Tinnitus
- Acoustic neuroma
- Otitis media
- Arteriosclerosis
- Hearing loss
- Circulatory problems
- Otosclerosis
- Whiplash
- Acoustic trauma
- Hearing loss
- Eardrum injuries
- Meniere’s disease
Diagnosis and course
The course of ringing in the ears can vary greatly depending on the underlying cause. For example, ringing in the ears can start suddenly or develop gradually. In addition, whether ringing in the ears worsens, improves, or even disappears as it progresses depends on the cause, among other factors. The methods of diagnosing ringing in the ears also differ depending on the type of ringing in the ears: If the ringing in the ears is based on organic causes, the ringing in the ears and its causes can be identified by medical examinations. If the affected person has subjective ringing in the ears, a diagnosis is based on the patient’s descriptions of the symptoms.
Complications
Ringing in the ears can basically affect anyone who is exposed to excessive volume, pressure differences, or stress. This is something quite normal, which is due to the anatomy of the ear into outer, middle and inner ear. Often the problem is in the inner ear, where the cochlea is located. The cochlea and its fluid concentration gets temporarily confused. Sometimes the ringing in the ears becomes really aware when the environment is quiet or the person is already in bed. The classic these days is attending a rock concert. If the music was excessively loud, or the music fan was standing too close to the stage speakers, this can cause the ears to become severely overloaded. Ringing in the ears is not a present sound that can be measured in decibels. However, in many cases it is a reaction to loud noises that the individual has been exposed to for a while. However, pressure fluctuations, such as during diving or flying, can also trigger ear noises. These overloads do not yet constitute a disease. However, if the decibel load or pressure is too high, the ear, especially the eardrum or cochlea, can be damaged. This is also the case as a result of loud explosions. If a ringing in the ears becomes chronic, we can speak of tinnitus.In the case of tinnitus, there is either damage in the middle and inner ear, or an impairment of the brain, for example, due to permanent stress or organic damage.
When should one go to a doctor?
Ringing in the ears does not necessarily need to be examined by a doctor. As a rule, ringing in the ears occurs after excessive exertion of the ears. This includes listening to loud music or making general loud noises, such as when operating various machines. In these cases, the ringing in the ears often disappears on its own after a short time, so that no treatment by the doctor is necessary. However, the affected person should not continue to put unnecessary strain on the ears during this time in order to avoid a permanent symptom. A doctor must be consulted if the ringing in the ears does not disappear on its own even after a few days or if the noises in the ear are associated with pain. This can be a serious damage of the ear or an inflammation in the ear, which must be treated medically. As a rule, these diseases result in a positive course of the disease. Ringing in the ears must be examined by a doctor even if it occurs suddenly and without strong stress. In this case, ringing in the ears may be a symptom of another disease.
Treatment and therapy
And successful treatment of ringing in the ears is also based first on the diagnosed causes: If the ringing in the ears is organic, appropriate therapy consists primarily of curing or treating the basic complaints. If these basic complaints can be cured or alleviated, the ringing in the ears caused in this way will usually also subside. The treatment of subjective ringing in the ears usually takes a long time. Various therapies are based on learning methods to be less affected by ringing in the ears: For example, it can be helpful to drown out the ringing in the ears by making soft noises through headphones. In this way, the brain is distracted from the perceived ringing in the ears and, according to experts, can sooner or later learn to block out the ringing. Various relaxation methods can also help to distance oneself from the ringing in the ears. If the ringing in the ears is due to internal tension, among other things, relaxation methods can also lead to the ringing in the ears subsiding over time. Possible relaxation methods are, for example, so-called progressive muscle relaxation, in which conscious relaxation is learned, or autogenic training. If ringing in the ears creates a great deal of suffering for an affected person, psychotherapeutic measures can also help to cope better with the ringing in the ears.
Prevention
Since the causes of ringing in the ears are very diverse, specific prevention is not easy. Organic ringing in the ears can be prevented by paying close attention to pain in the head and ears and, if necessary, consulting a doctor at an early stage. To prevent hearing damage as a cause of ringing in the ears, it is recommended, for example, to avoid strong noise or to use hearing protection.
What you can do yourself
For ringing in the ears, quite a few home remedies and measures help, depending on the cause. Ringing in the ears as a result of tinnitus can be treated by natural remedies such as zinc, ginkgo biloba or turmeric. If mucus has also formed in the sinuses, a saline solution helps to flush it out and thus also alleviate the tinnitus. If high blood pressure is the cause, fatty foods should be avoided, as should alcohol and coffee. Depending on the severity of the ringing in the ears, it may already help to clean the ears or have them professionally flushed out by a doctor. If the ringing in the ears is due to physical complaints such as teeth grinding or a misaligned jaw, relaxation measures and sports can help. Pressure point massage, in which the index finger and middle finger are placed in front of or behind the ears, promotes blood circulation to the ears and thus alleviates ringing in the ears. In addition, the noise level in everyday life should be reduced. Headphones or earplugs give the auditory canals the opportunity to relax and thus also reduce ringing in the ears in the long term. Those affected should also drink relaxation-promoting teas with hops, lemon balm or valerian and avoid stress as much as possible. Alcohol and nicotine consumption should be reduced until the symptoms subside.
