Infection and Ringing in the Ear

Tinnitus, the medical term for ringing in the ears, and otitis media, a middle ear infection, are two common ear problems. They are both treatable conditions, and can cause people to feel discomfort not only in their ears, but in other parts of their bodies as well.

Causes

• Tinnitus can be caused by exposure to loud sounds; stiffening in the bones in the middle ear; Meniere's disease; an injury to the head or neck; a non-cancerous tumor; or blood-vessel disorders. Otitis media is caused by bacteria or a virus.

Symptoms

• Along with ringing in the ears, tinnitus can cause buzzing, clicking, whistling or hissing sounds in the ears. Symptoms of otitits media include plugged ears, pain in the ears, and/or hearing and balance problems.

Diagnosis

• The most common test used to diagnose tinnitus is an audiogram, a complete hearing test. To diagnose otitis media, doctors use a flashlight device called an otoscope to look inside the ear.

Treatment

• Physicians first try to treat the condition causing tinnitus. They may also give patients devices that lessen the ringing sounds in their ears, such as white noise machines. For ear infections caused by bacteria, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics.

Prevention

• Ways to prevent tinnitus include protecting the ears from loud noise and maintaining healthy blood vessels. People can prevent an ear infection by keeping themselves from getting a cold and staying away from cigarette smoke.