Ear noise/buzzing
Alternative names:
noises/buzzing in the ear(s); ringing in the ears; tinnitus
Definition:
Ringing, buzzing, humming or other noises in the ears.
Considerations:
Tinnitus may be described as the sound of escaping air, running water, the inside of a seashell, or as a sizzling, musical, buzzing, or humming noise.
Tinnitus is a symptom of almost any ear disorder including ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the ear, otosclerosis, Meniere's, acoustic trauma, and others. Tinnitus may be associated with hearing loss including occupational hearing loss. It is also a symptom of certain forms of cardiovascular disease such as occlusion of the carotid arteries, anemia, vascular (blood vessel) malformations, aneurysm, and tumors in the head.
The sounds perceived include ringing noises, blowing sounds, buzzing, hissing, whistling, high or low pitched sounds, roaring, pulsating sounds, and others. The mechanism that causes the perception of sounds where there is no outside source of the noise is not known.
Tinnitus is common. Almost everyone experiences a mild form of tinnitus where they hear noises for several minutes. Persistent tinnitus sometimes accompanies sensory hearing loss. Tinnitus may interfere with the ability to concentrate or sleep and may cause psychological distress.
Common causes:
Note: This list is not all inclusive and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The list of all possible causes can be extensive and include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the list will vary based on the age and gender of the individual as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom, such as quality, timing, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for this symptom occurring alone or in combination with other problems.
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