Doctor explains diseases linked to ear ringing: Who should get checked

Licensed audiologist Sabrina Lee explains that the causes of ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can include changes in the brain, wear and tear of hair cells in the ear, exposure to loud noises, blockages in the passages, and Meniere's disease.

She adds that exposure to loud noises is a major risk factor for developing ringing in the ears — for example, people who work in noisy environments or frequently attend events with loud music.

However, hearing problems can also occur in people who try to protect their hearing. Ringing in the ears can occur due to maladaptive brain plasticity - the brain tries to compensate for hearing loss by increasing neuronal activity, resulting in phantom sounds.

Another likely cause is the wear and tear of hair cells in the inner ear, the receptors of the auditory system. This occurs over time, and when damaged, irreversible hearing loss occurs, accompanied by phantom sounds.

Hearing problems can also arise from blockages in the ear passages by wax or due to Meniere's disease - a non-infectious disease of the inner ear characterized by an increase in the volume of endolymph (the fluid contained in the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear).

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This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.