That constant buzzing, whistling, or ringing in the ears — known as tinnitus — can be frustrating and distracting. It’s not a disease in itself but a symptom of an underlying condition. Understanding the causes can help you take the right steps toward relief.

1. Earwax Buildup

Excess earwax can block the ear canal, putting pressure on the eardrum and affecting how sound travels. This can trigger tinnitus, along with muffled hearing. Professional ear cleaning often resolves this quickly.

2. Hearing Loss

As we age, the delicate hair cells inside the inner ear can become damaged or wear out. When the brain receives fewer sound signals, it sometimes compensates by creating phantom sounds — leading to tinnitus.

3. Loud Noise Exposure

Long-term exposure to loud environments (concerts, machinery, headphones at high volume) can damage the inner ear. This damage often shows up first as ringing in the ears. Even a single loud event can cause temporary tinnitus.

4. Ear and Sinus Conditions

Middle ear infections, fluid buildup, or sinus problems can cause temporary ringing. Once the infection or congestion clears, tinnitus usually improves.

5. Medications

Certain medicines, including some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and high doses of aspirin, are ototoxic (toxic to the ear) and can trigger or worsen tinnitus.

6. Stress and Circulation Issues

High stress levels, anxiety, or circulatory problems like high blood pressure can also play a role. When blood flow around the ear is disrupted, you may hear pulsing or ringing sounds.

When to Seek Help

Occasional mild ringing is common, but if tinnitus is persistent, worsening, or affecting your daily life, it’s important to get a professional assessment. At Auditus Hearing Specialists, we provide:

• Comprehensive hearing tests to identify underlying hearing loss.
• Professional ear cleaning for safe wax removal.
• Tinnitus management strategies to reduce the impact of ringing in your life.