The origin of tinnitus is often elusive, as there are many different possible origins.  Potential causes of tinnitus are:

• Disorders of the Outer Ear, such as earwax (cerumen), hair, or a foreign body in the ear canal or near the eardrum.

• Disorders of the Middle Ear, such as vascular abnormalities near the ear, ear infections, otosclerosis, muscle spasms, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or benign tumors.  Sinus infections can also contribute to tinnitus.

• Disorders of the Inner Ear, such as sensorineural (nerve) damage due to excessive noise exposure or acoustic trauma, hearing loss due to aging, labyrinthitis (inner ear infection), Endolymphatic Hydrops (excess inner ear fluid), or Meniere’s Disease (excess inner ear fluid associated with vertigo and fluctuating hearing loss). 

• Head or Neck Trauma, temporomandibular misalignment, damage or tumor growth on the auditory nerve or within the auditory processing centers of the brain can sometimes be the origin. 

• Tinnitus can be temporarily brought about by high dosages of medications such as anti-inflammatories including aspirin, ibuprofen, and quinine.  Certain antibiotics and chemotherapeutic medications can cause permanent tinnitus as well.

• Finally, systemic disorders such as high or low blood pressure, anemia, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, hyper or hypoglycemia, vascular disorders, acoustic tumors, head or neck aneurisms, allergies, or hormonal changes can be the cause of tinnitus.