What does ears ringing mean

These sounds do not follow the beat of the pulse. Such spasms often have no known cause but may be due to tumors, head injury, or diseases that affect the covering of nerves for example, multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis MS In multiple sclerosis, patches of myelin the substance that covers most nerve fibers and underlying nerve fibers in the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord are damaged or destroyed. The cause Not all tinnitus requires evaluation by a doctor.

The following information can help people decide whether a doctor's evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation.

People with warning signs should see a doctor right away. People without warning signs in whom tinnitus recently developed should call their doctor, as should people with pulsatile tinnitus. Most people with tinnitus and no warning signs have had tinnitus for a long time but should see their doctor about it if they have not already done so. In people with tinnitus, doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history.

Doctors then do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination may suggest a cause of the tinnitus and the tests that may need to be done see table Some Causes and Features of Tinnitus Some Causes and Features of Tinnitus Ringing in the ears tinnitus is noise originating in the ear rather than in the environment. The nature of the tinnitus, including whether it is in one or both ears and whether it is constant or pulsatile.

During the physical examination, doctors focus on examining the ears including hearing and the neurologic system. They also listen with a stethoscope over and near the person's ear and on the neck for sounds of objective tinnitus.

Most people should have a formal hearing test done by either the doctor or a hearing specialist audiologist. People with tinnitus in only one ear and hearing loss should have gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging MRI. People with pulsatile tinnitus often require magnetic resonance angiography MRA Magnetic resonance angiography MRA In magnetic resonance imaging MRI , a strong magnetic field and very high frequency radio waves are used to produce highly detailed images.

MRI does not use x-rays and is usually very safe Attempts to identify and treat the disorder causing tinnitus are often unsuccessful. However, correcting any hearing loss for example, with a hearing aid Hearing Aids Many causes of hearing loss have no cure. In these cases, treatment involves compensating for the hearing loss as much as possible. Most people with moderate to severe loss use hearing aids Treatment of stress and other mental conditions such as depression may help.

Many people are reassured if they learn that their tinnitus is not caused by a serious disorder. Caffeine and other stimulants can worsen tinnitus, so people should try to avoid these.

Various techniques can help make tinnitus tolerable, although the ability to tolerate it varies from person to person. Many people find that background sound helps mask the tinnitus and helps them fall asleep. Some people play background music.

Other people use a tinnitus masker, which is a device worn like a hearing aid that produces a constant level of neutral sounds. For the profoundly deaf, an implant in the cochlea Cochlear Implants Many causes of hearing loss have no cure. If these standard techniques are not helpful, people may want to seek treatment in clinics that specialize in the treatment of tinnitus. Most tinnitus is due to causes that are not dangerous, for example, exposure to loud noise, aging, Meniere disease, and use of certain drugs.

Tinnitus rarely can be stopped, but certain techniques help people manage their symptoms effectively. You'll learn how to prevent hearing loss and preserve the hearing you have now. You'll also learn about the latest advances in hearing aid technology and find out which kind of hearing device may be best for you. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

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Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Tinnitus Open pop-up dialog box Close. Tinnitus Tinnitus can be caused by a number of things, including broken or damaged hair cells in the part of the ear that receives sound cochlea ; changes in how blood moves through nearby blood vessels carotid artery ; problems with the joint of the jaw bone temporomandibular joint ; and problems with how the brain processes sound.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Tinnitus and antidepressants. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Non-pulsatile tinnitus. Mayo Clinic; Kellerman RD, et al. In: Conn's Current Therapy Elsevier; Accessed Dec.

Tunkel DE, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Tinnitus. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. Flint PW, et al. Tinnitus and hyperacusis. Baguley D, et al.

The Lancet. Dinces EA. Etiology and diagnosis of tinnitus.