Do you hear ringing, whistling or an insect-like buzzing in your ear even when it is quiet around you? This is called tinnitus. It is a common problem. It is a symptom – finding the cause behind it is what matters.
Common causes
- Hard ear wax
- Ear infection, or a blocked ear after a cold
- Age-related hearing loss
- Working around loud noise (factories, DJ music, firecrackers)
- Inner ear problems such as Meniere’s disease
- Stress and poor sleep – these make the sound seem louder
What not to do
- Do not pour oil, garlic juice or other home remedies into the ear.
- Do not poke inside the ear with pins, matchsticks or earbuds.
- Do not listen to earphones at high volume for long periods.
When to see a doctor
- If the sound lasts more than a week
- If it is in one ear only
- If it comes with hearing loss, ear pain, discharge or dizziness
- If it affects your sleep or work
If tinnitus starts with sudden hearing loss in one ear, do not wait – see an ENT doctor within 24–48 hours. Starting treatment early is very important.
What happens at the clinic?
The ear is examined with a microscope or endoscope, and hearing is measured with audiometry. If there is a cause such as wax or infection, it is treated. If there is hearing loss, suitable advice is given. Even when the sound does not go away completely, there are ways to make it less bothersome.
If you have sudden severe dizziness with weakness, slurred speech, chest pain or loss of consciousness, go to the nearest emergency hospital immediately.
Information on this website is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor.