Possible Reasons You Have Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears) Skip to main content Menu Health A-Z Home News Reference Slideshows Quizzes Videos WebMDRx Savings Card Top 12 Topics Coronavirus (COVID-19) CBD Oil Keto Diet Hepatitis C Diabetes Warning Signs Rheumatoid Arthritis Morning-After Pill Breast Cancer Screening Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms Heart Failure Multiple Myeloma Types of Crohn's Disease A to Z GuidesReference Menu Why You Have Tinnitus Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on December 13, 2020 Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be caused by many things. But it isn’t a disease. It’s a symptom of another health problem. What causes the ringing? Usually it's from damage to tiny hairs in your inner ear. That changes the signals they send to your brain that control how you hear sound. You might get tinnitus as a normal part of aging, but there are other causes. It could be temporary, or it might last for the rest of your life. Tinnitus Triggers Age-related hearing loss: For many people, hearing gets worse as you age. This usually begins around 60. It usually affects both ears. You’ll probably notice a problem with high-frequency sounds. Loud noises: Loud noises are a leading cause. It could be something you hear every day for years, or something that only happens once. That includes everything from concerts and sporting events to loud machinery and backfiring engines. They can affect one or both ears, and they may cause hearing loss and pain. The damage can be permanent or temporary. Too much earwax: Your body makes this gunky stuff to trap dirt and protect your ears. But if it doesn't wash away on its own and too much piles up, it could lead to ringing or hearing loss. Your doctor can remove the buildup gently. Don't grab a cotton swab and try to do it yourself. Certain medicines: Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can trigger ringing or make it louder. This includes aspirin, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), quinine-based medication, and certain antibiotics, antidepressants, and cancer drugs. Usually the stronger the dose, the greater your chance of problems. Often if you stop the drug, your symptoms will go away. See your doctor if you think a drug may be to blame. But don't stop taking any medication without talking to your doctor first. Ear and sinus infections: You might notice tinnitus when you've had a cold. That could be due to an ear or sinus infection that affects your hearing and increases pressure in your sinuses. If that's the cause, it shouldn’t last long. If it doesn't get better after a week or so, see your doctor. TMJ: Problems with your jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause tinnitus. You might notice popping or pain in the joint when you chew or talk. The joint shares some nerves and ligaments with your middle ear. A dentist can treat TMJ disorders and help keep ear ringing from getting worse. Blood pressure issues: This can include high blood pressure and things that raise it in the short term, like stress, alcohol, and caffeine. Hardening of the arteries can also play a role. Blood vessels close to your middle and inner ear become less stretchy, so your blood flow is stronger and seems louder. This iwhat is known as a pulsatile tinnitus. Other medical problems: These include changes in your inner ear bones, an inner ear disorder called Meniere's disease, or head and neck injuries. Conditions like fibromyalgia and Lyme disease also can trigger ear ringing. Your doctor will help you figure out the cause and ease the sounds. Top Picks Manage Your Migraine What to Eat Before Your Workout Treating RA With Biologics Best Treatments for Allergies MS and Depression: How Are They Linked? Your Guide to Understanding Medicare further reading The Ear (Human Anatomy): Picture, Function, Definition, Conditions, and More The Ringing and Buzzing of Tinnitus Tinnitus Symptoms Tinnitus Treatments The Basics of Tinnitus How to Talk With Your Doctor About Tinnitus Living With Tinnitus Tinnitus Topics Today on WebMD Risky Mistakes Pet Owners Make Some of these might surprise you. Depressed Guilty Feelings After Eating Symptoms of binge eating disorder. Psoriasis Home Remedies 14 tips to ditch the itch. Quit Smoking Get your personalized plan. Recommended for You Slideshow Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Slideshow 10 Secrets to a Sparkling Smile Slideshow 7 Ways You re Wrecking Your Liver Slideshow Symptoms of ADHD in Children Slideshow Type 2 Diabetes Early Warning Signs Slideshow What Is Schizophrenia Slideshow Fungal Infections What You Should Know Slideshow 11 Surprising Superfoods for Your Bones Tools & Resources Foods That Help Enhance Your Brainpower Breast Cancer Signs & Symptoms Constipated? Avoid These Foods Lung Cancer Risks: Myths and Facts Causes of Erectile Dysfunction Tips for Living Better With Migraine Health Solutions Penis Curved When Erect? Could I have CAD? Treat Bent Fingers Treat HR+, HER2- MBC Tired of Dandruff? Benefits of CBD Rethink MS Treatment AFib-Related Strokes Risk of a Future DVT/PE Is My Penis Normal? Relapsing MS Options Liver Transplants Save Lives Finance Plastic Surgery Bent Finger Causes Living With Psoriasis? Missing Teeth? More from WebMD 5 Tips to Help With Relapsing MS How to Thrive With Narcolepsy Relief for Blocked Hair Follicles Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep What Psoriasis Feels Like First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare Talking to Your Doctor About RA Crohn's: A 'Full-Body' Disease Avoiding Crohn’s Flares Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil Live Better With Psoriatic Disease Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS 5 Health Benefits of Hemp Why Prostate Cancer Spreads Living with Advanced Breast Cancer Where Breast Cancer Spreads Find us on: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Editorial Policy Advertising Policy Correction Policy Terms of Use Contact Us About WebMD Careers Newsletter Corporate WebMD Health Services Site Map Accessibility Medscape Medscape Reference MedicineNet eMedicineHealth RxList OnHealth WebMDRx First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record Dictionary Physician Directory WebMD Mobile WebMD App Pregnancy Baby Allergy Medscape Advertise with Us Advertising Policy © 2005 - 2022 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.