How come when i put on earplugs I can hear a slight ringing noise in one ear?!
Question: How come when i put on earplugs I can hear a slight ringing noise in one ear?
If i have earplugs in i can hear the ringing in my right ear as if the sound were emitting from the ear drum to the outside of the ear.
When i push the ear plug in or put pressure on my ear, then the ringing goes to a higher pitched sound.
Sometimes it's more noticeable than other times, and it's only when i cover my ears with my palms really hard, or put in ear plugs really snug, and it's only from the right ear.
Its starting to make me really nervous, and I can't get into the Doctors until Monday.
Has anyone ever had a slight ringing in their ear before and have it treated? What was it? Did it go away? How can I make it go away?
Thanks, will do best answer and 5 stars
Answers:
There are many causes for ringing in the ears and MOST are benign, but not all. Tinitus can be caused by dehydration, noise exposure, medications, inner ear pressure changes, tumors or a whole host of other causes. When you put in earplugs you are experiencing "occlusion effect" which just means that you are occluding the ear canal and that makes low frequency and internal biofeedback audible because it is resonating the cartilage in your ear canal. The sound usually escapes out of your ear canal, but when it is blocked by an earplug, it is perceived as amplified in your ear. The thing that concerns me most is that it is one ear and not the other. Anything sudden, and/or unilateral is a red flag and you are doing the right thing by seeing your physician. It may be something, but it may be nothing and there is no way to tell without being examined. Make sure you tell your Dr. All medications you are taking and if you have had a sinus or respiratory congestion lately. Good luck :)
I am an audiology doctoral student
One possible cause of tinnitus is sinus congestion. When the sinuses become congested they create pressure. This congestion and pressure affects the ears as they are connected via the eustaschian tube. So if you have sinus congestion this is another possible cause of tinnitus. Or it could be damage to ear from loud noises or listening to headphones too loud. There are many different causes but none you should worry about unless you loose hearing or there is acute pain or bleeding. I have ringing in my ear sometimes too I was around a lot of loud nosies in Afghanistan. Mine has gone away. A doctor will discuss all of this with you but from what I read you should have nothing to worry about. Hope this helps.