Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a continuing perceived sound where no external source is present. It may be in one or both ears. It is considered subjective since only the person who has the condition can actually hear it. Individuals with tinnitus sometimes describe the sound as a high-pitch whistle. Other individuals describe the sound as buzz, chirp, whoosh or pulse. Pitch is also variable. The consistent characteristic is that the ‘sound’ is constant and relentless. The best characterization is that ringing in the ears is an indication of a possible issue in the inner ear or auditory system.

Is ringing in the ears a disease?
No. Ringing in the ears is believed to have many possible causes or contributing factors but it is not a disease. In some cases occupational exposure to loud noises is directly related to ringing in the ears. In other cases certain medications (including aspirin and ibuprofen) are thought to initiate or exacerbate tinnitus. In still other cases none of these factors is present, but ringing in the ears still occurs. Ringing in the ears is sometimes associated with impacted cerumen (ear wax) or other symptoms of inner ear disturbance such as dizziness or Vertigo.

What are the possible types of tinnitus causes?
Inner Cell Damage: 
The inner ear has tiny hairs that are subjected to the pressure of environmental sound waves. When these tiny hairs are damaged, the sounds picked up by the brain are the characteristic symptoms of tinnitus, namely, ringing, buzzing and whistling. Other ear-related conditions brought about by illnesses and injuries can also cause tinnitus.

Hearing loss brought on by old age: 
Hearing loss usually starts at around 60 years of age in both men and women.  Structural changes in the inner ear affect the organ’s capacity to hear in a normal way, which can lead to hearing noises.

Prolonged exposure to loud noises: 
When the ears are exposed to loud noises such as the buzz from power tools, heavy equipment and firearms, these organs can suffer from permanent damage.  The extended use of portable music devices like iPods has also been known to contribute to the onset of tinnitus.

Blockage in the ears: 
The most common example of blockage in the ears is impacted earwax, which can also lead to bacterial infections and eardrum irritation. Both conditions worsen the symptoms of tinnitus.

Medical disorders: 
Meniere’s disease, temperomandibular joint disorders and acoustic neuroma are also types of tinnitus causes although these are uncommon. Blood vessel disorders like hypertension, atherosclerosis and head/neck tumors can also cause these noises.

Medications: 
Certain medications have ringing in the ears as a side effect. Examples include diuretics, antibiotics, and aspirin in high doses.