“Ringing in ears?”
Hello, I've been having ringing in my ears for months now, which at this point I'm sure is tinnitus. Just a question I would like to ask is why do my ears hurt when I hear ringing outside of my ears? It's very strange considering I hear it all the time I don't get why they would be sensitive to it outside. I mean I could, but I want a thorough explanation considering it's actually a bit painful when it does occur.
Female | 17 years old
Complaint duration: Varys
Medications: None
Conditions: None
9 Answers
AudiologistAudiologist
Dr. Joni K. Doherty
Ear-Nose and Throat Doctor (ENT) | Otology & Neurotology
Los Angeles, California
Tinnitus is most often (80%) due to underlying hearing loss and/or noise damage to the inner ear. The hearing organ, called the "cochlea" is a specialized sensory organ that contains 'auditory hair cells' (termed for the appearance of cilia (a.k.a., hairs) under an electron microscope). These cells are particularly sensitive to certain pitches or loud sounds and, if damaged, due to noise exposure, they may die and cannot regenerate (i.e., renew). The result can be tinnitus and sensitivity to loud sounds in the frequency range where the hair cells have been lost (i.e., died).
Please consult an ENT specialist and have full evaluation including Audiogram and ECOG
The first step would go to an ENT doctor and have your middle ear checked out medically.
Pain is not normally associated with tinnitus. At your age, be sure to protect your ears from excessive noise. If the pain is associated with sound, a condition called hyperacusis may exist. You will a hearing test. Do not avoid noise with this condition, but put yourself in an environment with "normal noise". Sound avoidance increases hyperacusis.
Is it one ear or both ears? Hyperacusis and tinnitus, especially if unilateral and one-sided, always require MRI imaging to rule out a tumor of the acoustic nerve, which is rare and usually benign. EVERY patient with subjective noise and tinnitus requires diagnostic soundproof booth audiometric testing, which should be arranged by your ent physician.
It's hard to tell what may be causing this without doing an exam. Many different things can cause both tinnitus and ear pain. Tinnitus can be from stress, medications, nicotine, caffeine, or hearing loss. Ear pain can be related to infections, TMJ problems, neck pain, throat pain, and others.
Could be an associated symptoms of hyperacusis. Centrally (brain) mediated sound sensitivity. Unless you you are grinding/clenching your teeth and causing TMJ pain which radiates to your ears.
I would recommend an evaluation with an audiologist. You may have an obstruction in the ear canal, which can be removed. If the canal is clear I would recommend you have a complete hearing test.
Angela R. Sieh Ceretto, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA
Audiologist
Pinnacle Audiology, LLC
6809 S. Minnesota Ave., Suite 101
605-306-4481
Angela R. Sieh Ceretto, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA
Audiologist
Pinnacle Audiology, LLC
6809 S. Minnesota Ave., Suite 101
605-306-4481
We recommend you have a full hearing evaluation by an audiologist, including a Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Once the evaluation is complete, the audiologist will review recommendations for your hearing, tinnitus and follow-up care.
