If you’re noticing a ringing or buzzing sound in your ear, do not worry. Many people experience it at one point or other in their lifetime, and it is called tinnitus. For most of them, it’s temporary and goes off without medical treatment. However, some forms of tinnitus last long and require medical intervention. 

Tinnitus can occur in multiple places, which include the brain or ear. Though many complain of buzzing or ringing noise, others experience hissing, whistling, or roaring sounds.

There are two types of tinnitus – pulsatile and non-pulsatile tinnitus. 

Pulsatile tinnitus often involves noise from the blood vessels near the ear. People suffering from pulsatile tinnitus complain of hearing their pulse or heartbeat in the ear. Pulsatile tinnitus can be due to abnormal blood vessels or irregular vasculature like tumors. But this type of tinnitus is less common. 

Non-pulsatile tinnitus is due to abnormal activity in the brain’s auditory cortex, which is responsible for processing sound. People with non-pulsatile tinnitus complain of various noises, including sounds or static. It’s actually due to the brain trying to fill in missing sensory information. 

The significant reasons for non-pulsatile tinnitus are hearing loss and aging. It can also be due to ear-related disorders or exposure to loud noises. People who suffer from hearing loss due to damage to cells in the inner ear often experience tinnitus.

When to see an ENT specialist?

It is okay if someone experiences tinnitus at some point in their lives. Temporary tinnitus equal in both ears often vanishes after a few seconds. But if the condition persists or you suffer from other symptoms such as dizziness, ear pain, hearing loss, or headache, an audiogram or a hearing test is recommended.

You should also be careful if tinnitus or hearing loss happens only in one ear. An ENT doctor would conduct a physical examination and hearing assessment to determine the cause of the hearing loss.  

You may need to go for an MRI to rule out benign tumors when dizziness or vertigo is present. Sudden tinnitus on one ear can also indicate moderate to severe hearing loss that can develop quickly, and you need to address it urgently. 

Tinnitus can be treated

Though no one can predict when one will suffer from tinnitus, the good news is that tinnitus with hearing loss can be managed using hearing aids. They can cover or suppress it by amplifying the sound in the ear. Hearing aid suppliers can provide masking devices to prevent background sound for continuing tinnitus without hearing loss. Hearing aids are recommended for those experiencing inconvenient tinnitus.  

How to lower the risk of tinnitus

Noisy urban life, spending too much time in places with loud noise is a risk factor for tinnitus. But you can take measures to safeguard your hearing. Use hearing protection in areas where is loud sounds and restrict the time you spend in such noisy places. While listening to the audio, set the headphones to lower volumes.  

Tinnitus in both ears is often not considered dangerous and can be managed. But understanding the different causes and warning signs of tinnitus can help one to decide when to visit an ENT specialist.