Feels like something is in the eye: Causes and treatment
Wait—Why Is My Ear Ringing? Audiologists Explain When You Should Worry
Woman experiencing ear ringing
Phone ringing has become somewhat obsolete thanks to vibration mode on mobile devices. However, ear ringing? That annoying occurrence is still around. The National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that about 25 million people, or 10% of U.S. Adults, have experienced ear ringing, or tinnitus, lasting at least five minutes in the past year.
So, if you're left wondering why it happens, know two things: First, you're not alone, and two, it's a good question.
"Some find its presence relatively benign, while others find it annoying and bothersome," says Amy Sarow, AUD, CCC-A, the lead audiologist at Soundly. "For some, it's even delibating...[and] just understanding more about what it is can help to alleviate anxiety about what tinnitus is and why it happens."
So, why does it happen? Experts answered the most common questions they hear about ear ringing. Related: The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do If You Want To Avoid Getting a Headache, According to Neurologists
What Is Ear Ringing Called?"Tinnitus" is the medical term for ear ringing, explains Rebecca Lewis, AuD, an audiologist and audiology director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California.
"Tinnitus isn't a condition on its own," Lewis says. "It is a symptom of an underlying condition such as hearing loss or other potential health issues. It is important to understand tinnitus as it relates to your overall health. As with many health conditions, early diagnosis and treatment leads to greater outcomes."
What Causes Ear Ringing?Lewis explains that ear ringing can have many causes, but it is usually caused by some degree of hearing loss. Lewis and the Hearing Loss Association of America statistics note that 90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss.
"Tinnitus is an increase in spontaneous nerve activity in the absence of sound," Lewis says. "In cases of hearing loss, the brain fills in the gaps where hearing loss is present with spontaneous neural activity. Instead of hearing silence, you hear the ringing sound."
The reasons for hearing loss can vary, though.
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1. Ear waxHearing loss can sound scary. However, it may be caused by something benign.
"It can start with something as simple as a lot of ear wax that is blocking off the ear, which can cause tinnitus," says Dr. Ruth Reisman, AUD, MBA, CCC-A, a licensed audiologist and co-owner of Urban Hearing.
2. InfectionsEar infections are more than just a pesky, painful condition. They can do a number on the auditory system and trigger tinnitus.
"Ear infections can interfere with sound transmission, causing a ringing sensation in the ear," Lewis says. "Infections cause inflammation and fluid buildup, which disturb the auditory system, resulting in tinnitus."
3. AgeReisman says ear ringing frequency can increase with age—something patients can't reverse. A study published in 2023 published in 2023 also found that tinnitus became more prevalent as people aged, with occurrences of it peaking in people 75 to 79 years old.
4. Exposure to loud soundsYou may attend a parade or loud concerts and notice short-term hearing loss and ear ringing. Or, you may work somewhere with loud noises, such as from machinery.
"These noise exposures can lead to a temporary shift in hearing accompanied by tinnitus, which usually resolves after 16 to 18 hours," Lewis says. "These exposures can cause temporary disarticulations between outer hair cells and the tectorial membrane in the cochlea, which cause the temporary shift in hearing levels and tinnitus."
The resolution may seem like a positive sign. However, Lewis stresses that people should avoid exposure to these events. "These are not benign events as they can cause long-term damage to the cells of the inner ear, the cochlea," Lewis says.
5. Lifestyle and medicationsLewis says that lifestyle choices and medications that can trigger ear ringing include:
6. Medical conditions or diseasesLewis says that various chronic conditions or diseases may cause ear ringing, including:
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A condition caused by increased fluid pressure in the brain. In addition to ear ringing, a patient may experience headaches and double vision.
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ): Issues that can lead to pressure and blood flow changes to the ear, resulting in tinnitus).
Meniere's disease: An inner-ear disorder linked to ear fullness, dizziness and ear ringing.
Atherosclerosis: A condition that reduces blood flow to the arteries in the ears, neck and head.
Sarow says that ringing in one year is known as unilateral tinnitus, and it doesn't always mean a serious condition is present.
"There are many potential contributors to this phenomenon, such as an ear infection, a history of ear surgery or earwax impaction," Sarow says.
Still, Sarow recommends anyone with new onset unilateral tinnitus call their healthcare providers as it may be a sign of an underlying condition, like Meniere's disease.
Is Ringing in Both Ears Serious?Sarow says bilateral tinnitus is the most common type, and it doesn't always mean a person has a serious condition. However, individuals experiencing new onset bilateral tinnitus should also call a doctor. "Bilateral tinnitus is most commonly associated with some degree of underlying hearing loss," Sarow says. "If you're concerned about ear ringing in both ears, it's best to consult with a medical provider."
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How Can Someone Get Their Ears To Stop Ringing?Unfortunately, Sarow says there's no cure for tinnitus. "However, that does not mean nothing can be done," Sarow says.
Treatments and symptom management for tinnitus vary. The first step a person experiencing tinnitus should take is determining the root cause, which means contacting a healthcare provider.
"Addressing the root cause of tinnitus can often alleviate the ringing in the ears," Lewis says. "For example, managing earwax blockage, medications, blood pressure, stress, sleep, alcohol consumption, tobacco use or caffeine intake may be modifiable and alleviate ringing."
Lewis adds that therapy may also help people experiencing stress-related tinnitus.
Since hearing loss is typically part of tinnitus, hearing aids may help. "The use of hearing aids can mask tinnitus while improving hearing, making it less noticeable," Lewis says. "Sound therapies are also helpful for tinnitus sufferers, which can be in the form of white noise, a fan, nature sounds, calming music, smartphone applications or any background sound."
Tinnitus Angel and myNoise are among the apps Lewis recommends.
How To Prevent Ear RingingPrevention is the best medicine and can prevent ear ringing from occurring in the first place or getting worse. "Limiting noise exposure is important," Lewis says. "Be sure to use appropriate hearing protection when you are at concerts, mowing the lawn or using machinery. There are sound level meter apps for the phone so that you can determine what type of hearing protection will place you at a safe listening level."
Listening to tunes or a podcast as you walk or run? "Monitor the level of your headphones as well," Lewis says. "Extended use of headphones at loud volumes can lead to greater degrees of tinnitus and hearing loss."
What To Do if You Have Questions About Ear RingingIf you're concerned about ear ringing, your best bet is to see a professional.
"If someone is experiencing ringing in the ear, they should visit their local audiologist or ear nose and throat doctor to have their ears evaluated," Reisman says. "If treatment options are available, they will be discussed with the patient, and ongoing management and monitoring will be recommended as well."
Next up: Are Caffeinated Drinks Like Panera's Charged Lemonade Unsafe?
SourcesAmy Sarow, AUD, CCC-A, the lead audiologist at Soudly
Rebecca Lewis, AuD, an audiologist and Audiology Director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, Calif.
Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD MBA CCC-A, a licensed audiologist and founder of Urban Hearing.
Global Ear Infections Treatment Market: Recent Breakthroughs And Future ProspectsCAGR Of 5.1%
The global market for ear infections treatment is witnessing significant growth and innovation as healthcare providers and researchers focus on addressing this common ailment. Ear infections, particularly prevalent among children, have led to advancements in treatment strategies. The latest report reveals encouraging trends and future prospects in the Ear Infections Treatment Market. The global ear infection treatment market size was valued at $11.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $19.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2032.
Ear infections Treatment Market in Short:
CAGR: 5.1%Current Market Size: USD 19.5 BillionFastest Growing Region: APACLargest Market: North AmericaProjection Time: 2023-2032Base Year: 2023
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Q5. What are the upcoming trends of Ear Infection Treatment Market in the world?
A. The rapid technological advancements in diagnostic tools & treatment methods and increase in prevalence of ear infections, which further increase the demand for ear infection treatment drugs are the upcoming trends of Ear Infection Treatment Market in the world.
Q7. What is the leading segment of Ear Infection Treatment Market?
A. The middle ear infection is the leading segment of the Ear Infection Treatment Market.
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Market Expansion: The Ear Infections Treatment Market is expanding at an impressive rate due to the rising prevalence of ear infections, especially in children. This growth is driven by an increased awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
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Kids Who Suffer From Gastrointestinal Illnesses May Get Relief Through Ear, Study Finds
Dr. Benjamin Sahn of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset demonstrates how transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation is done. Credit: Feinstein Institutes
Young people who suffer from two serious gastrointestinal illnesses may find relief from a noninvasive treatment that stimulates the vagus nerve through their ear, according to a new Long Island-based study published Wednesday.
A pilot clinical trial conducted by the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset found more than 64% of participants with mild to moderate Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who had vagus nerve stimulation experienced reduced inflammation.
In addition, about one-third of the patients with ulcerative colitis and about half of the patients with Crohn's disease had no symptoms by the end of the 16-week study.
The results were published in the journal Bioelectronic Medicine.
WHAT TO KNOWDr. Benjamin Sahn, the lead researcher on the study and instructor at Feinstein's Institute of Bioelectric Medicine, said finding alternative therapies for these chronic diseases is key. Some medicines to treat symptoms can weaken the immune system of young patients.
About 1.6 million people in the U.S. Have inflammatory bowel disease, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. It's estimated about 80,000 of them are children.
"If any number of kids can benefit from a non-medication based, nonimmune suppressive, minimal-to-no-risk therapy, it's a home run, especially in pediatrics," said Sahn, who is also a pediatric gastroenterologist at Cohen Children's Medical Center.
The vagus nerves run from the brain down to the chest and stomach, helping control vital functions such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.
The treatment involves placing a noninvasive probe, similar to an earbud, in a person's left ear attached to an electronic device.
"By delivering very small amounts of electrical impulses through the probe, we can activate the vagus nerve and send signals into the body," he said
The nerve then sends signals from the brain and releases chemicals that can cut down on inflammation.
Vagus nerve stimulation for seizures, migrainesScientists have researched stimulation of the vagus nerve since the late 1800s, when neurologist James Corning explored it as a way to prevent seizures. In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved vagus nerve stimulation devices designed to help control seizures and migraines, as well as to treat depression and recovery from strokes. Some of those devices required the patient to have an implant placed in their neck.
Current research has focused on how it can help with chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, as well as inflammatory bowel disease. The Feinstein study uses only noninvasive probes held against the ear.
"We now are beginning to understand its role in immune system function," Sahn said. "All nerves release chemicals in the body to signal organs or cells how to behave. With our immune system, our vagus nerve has the ability to transmit signals to decrease overactivity."
Sahn said that in some people, an imbalance in the vagus nerve function could contribute to autoimmune disease developing.
Dr. Lea Ann Chen, director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Translational Research at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said using vagus nerve stimulation to treat IBD is in its early stages of research, but early results, like those in the study, show promise.
"Unfortunately, we don't have medical cures for inflammatory bowel disease currently," Chen said. "The mainstay of treatment for patients with moderate to severe disease is immunosuppression, and that increases the risk for infections and cancers. While most patients will not experience these potential adverse events … it can make patients apprehensive to start or continue appropriate therapy for their IBD."
The pilot study included 22 people between the ages of 10 and 21 who were outpatients at Cohen Children's Medical Center. All had mild to moderate ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
For the first two weeks, half of the participants received five minutes of vagus nerve stimulation every day. The other half received a placebo-type treatment. For the third and fourth weeks, those roles were reversed.
From the fifth week through 16th week, all participants received five minutes of stimulation, twice a day, every day.
Researchers collected information about the participants, including their symptoms, as well as issues such as anxiety and depression that can be helped by vagus nerve stimulation, Sahn said. Researchers were able to determine the level of inflammation through stool samples.
"The kids who started out with active symptoms in Crohn's disease, 50% were in clinical remission, or had no symptoms by the end of week 16," he said. "For ulcerative colitis, one-third of the kids with active symptoms at the start were in clinical remission at the end of 16 weeks."
Sahn noted many of the drugs used to treat these diseases are immune suppressive, which can leave kids at a higher risk of infections.
The pilot study is being followed with a larger clinical trial that will include adults up to the age of 39. Researchers also will conduct separate studies on patients who have Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.
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