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What does it mean to experience constant ringing in your ears? Also known as tinnitus, the constant or intermittent sound in your ear is usually harmless. Many individuals who experience tinnitus hear whistling, humming, buzzing, hissing, chirping, roaring, and sometimes even shrieking inside their head.

Causes of Ringing in the Ears

Tinnitus is common and has several causes. The most common cause of tinnitus is inner ear cell damage. With inner ear cell damage, the tiny, hair-like sensors for sound become damaged and send triggers to your brain that you’re hearing something when there’s no external noise.

Other common causes of tinnitus include:

  • Hearing loss due to age
  • Prolonged exposure to loud noises
  • Earwax blockage
  • Changes to the ear bone

Less common causes include:

  • Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disorder
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorderswomen signing loudly at a concert
  • Head or neck injuries
  • Acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the cranial nerve between the brain and inner ear

Rare causes of tinnitus include:

  • Atherosclerosis, a disease of the arteries
  • Head and neck tumors
  • High blood pressure
  • Turbulent blood flow
  • Capillaries malformation

Even some medications can cause tinnitus, including:

  • Antibiotics
  • Cancer medication
  • Diuretics, or water pills
  • Quinine medication
  • Some antidepressants
  • Aspirin, taken in high doses

Other Symptoms of Tinnitus

In addition to the constant or intermittent noise you hear inside your head, tinnitus can cause some other symptoms to develop, including:

  • Ear pain
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Stress
  • Inability to hear as well

Treatment for Ear Ringing

Because of the many causes of tinnitus, it’s important to meet with a medical professional for an evaluation. The only way to treat the constant ringing in your ears is to treat the underlying cause first.

If you’re experiencing tinnitus and are unsure of what’s causing it, visit your nearest FastMed Urgent Care to get help today.

Check out what some of our patients have to say about their experiences with FastMed Urgent Care. Find a FastMed near you!

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Sources:

Harvard Health Publications: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/tinnitus-ringing-in-the-ears-and-what-to-do-about-it

Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/dxc-20180362

MedicineNet: https://www.medicinenet.com/tinnitus_ringing_in_the_ears/article.htm

About FastMed

FastMed is a leading provider of high-quality, convenient, affordable, and compassionate healthcare in 34 counties across North Carolina. FastMed serves both urban and rural communities across the state with a wide range of care options, including preventive, telemedicine, occupational health, and primary and urgent care. FastMed is one of the few urgent care providers in the nation that has earned The Joint Commission’s coveted Gold Seal of Approval® for quality, safety, and infection control in ambulatory healthcare. For more information, visit www.fastmed.com.

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