Causes

The primary cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noises, and even brief exposure to loud noise such as music, fireworks, aircraft noise and firearms can cause the onset of tinnitus. Exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss as well as tinnitus and continued exposure can worsen these conditions over time.

Some other common causes of tinnitus are:

• Ear infections
• Temporal-mandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
• Excess wax build-up in ears
• Nasal allergies affecting fluid drainage
• Foreign objects in ears
• Blood flow problems
• Stress
• Tumor, cyst or otosclerosis – on rare occasions

Medications can cause tinnitus as a side effect. Medications are often essential to proper treatment of a medical condition and tinnitus is sometimes considered to be an acceptable side effect. While it may be acceptable to the prescribing physician, it may cause you extreme anxiety, interfering with your life.

Some of the medications that can cause tinnitus include:

• Aspirin
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) including Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve
• Antibiotics
• Chemotherapy
• Diuretics
• Antidepressants
• Quinine

IMPORTANT: Consult with your doctor before you stop taking any prescribed medication.

Other Potential Causes
Allergies, heart disease, disorders of the jaw or neck can cause tinnitus.