Causes for Tinnitus or ringing in the ear:
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Age-related tinnitus causes - hearing loss (presbycusis) occurring usually around age 60.
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Trauma-related tinnitus causes - damage to the inner ear (could result from excessive exposure to loud sound).
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Long-term use of medications such as aspirin (in large doses), quinine (used in treatment of malaria), antibiotics and anti-inflammatory can be tinnitus causes. Often the unwanted noises disappear once the drugs are discontinued.
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Temporomandibular joint problems (jaw disorders resulting in clicking or grating noises) can be one of the tinnitus causes.
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Otosclerosis (stiffening of the bones in the middle ear).
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Trauma or injury to the head or neck can be a tinnitus cause.
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Ear wax – Buildup of excess wax in the ear can reduce your ability to hear outside noises, and can be tinnitus causes by causing you to hear internal noises better.
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Ear infection – If an infection reduces your ability to hear outside noises, you are more likely to hear the noises related to Tinnitus.
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Atherosclerosis – Buildup of cholesterol and other fatty deposits causes tinnitus by causing the middle and inner ear to loose its elasticity which causes the blood flow to become more forceful which makes it easier for the ear to detect the beats.
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High blood pressure – High blood pressure and factors that increase the blood pressure such as stress, alcohol and caffeine are tinnitus causes and can make the sounds more noticeable.
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Food--Specific foods may trigger tinnitus. Problem foods include red wine, grain-based spirits, cheese, and chocolate. Tinnitus may also be caused by foods rich in salicylates (the same ingredient as in aspirin, which also causes tinnitus when taken in large amounts).
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Growths/tumors--Acoustic neuromas, glomous tumors, otosclerosis may all be tinnitus causes. Surgery may be recommended.
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Stress--Stress is not a direct cause of tinnitus, but it may generally make an already existing case worse.
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Since tinnitus might be a symptom of another health problem, see your doctor for any hearing concerns. Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, aspirin, antihistamines, and prescription or even over-the-counter medications can aggravate existing tinnitus and are tinnitus causes.