Earwax build-up

Earwax protects the ear by trapping bacteria and dirt in the ear canal before they can reach the eardrum. However, too much earwax can block the ear canal, prevent normal hearing, disturb the eardrum and cause tinnitus.

If you think you have tinnitus due to earwax, we recommend booking an appointment with an audiologist to confirm the cause. In selected stores, you can also take advantage of our earwax removal service without having to see a GP.

Perforated eardrum 

It’s possible to rupture your eardrum by injuring your outer or middle ear. A perforated eardrum can cause pain, hearing loss, fluid drainage, and tinnitus. 

Infections can sometimes cause a perforated eardrum. A small eardrum perforation can usually heal on its own, but a larger eardrum perforation may require surgery to repair it.

Cholesteatoma

Cholesteatoma is a benign growth of skin cells behind the eardrum, often triggered by ear infections, which can cause hearing loss and tinnitus in the affected ear. If left untreated, the growth can erode the middle ear bones, causing hearing loss. Standard treatment for cholesteatoma is a simple procedure to remove the growth.

Ménière’s Disease

In Ménière’s disease, fluid pressure builds up in the inner ear, which can distort hair-cells, causing unilateral tinnitus that is usually low-pitched. Other symptoms of Ménière’s disease include dizziness and hearing loss.

Cancer

If cancerous cells affect auditory nerves or the ear, it can result in unilateral tinnitus. 

Cancer that occurs in the ear, the nose, the throat, or the brain can cause unilateral tinnitus. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of unilateral tinnitus, it's best to visit your GP to check for any underlying causes. There are many treatments available, and your doctor will be able to advise you on the best one for you.

Ear infections

These are usually caused by fluid becoming trapped in the ear following a throat infection, cold, or allergies. Infections in the middle ear can sometimes cause temporary tinnitus as the increase in fluid muffles sound. This causes the brain to re-interpret the sounds, resulting in tinnitus. This type of tinnitus should disappear once the ear infection has been resolved.

Symptoms of an ear infection include pain in the ear, a feeling of fullness, hearing loss and dizziness, as well as the presence of a thick, yellow liquid coming from the ear. An ear infection is usually easily treatable by antibiotics or ear drops.

Loud noise

It’s also thought that exposure to loud noise can trigger tinnitus, like going to a loud gig or concert. Here are some examples of loud noises that can cause tinnitus:

• Rock concerts (120 dB)
• Ambulance sirens (120 dB)
• Nightclubs (110dB)
• Loud machinery (115-120 dB)
• Personal music player/headphones (112 dB)
• Hand drills (98 dB)
• Heavy traffic (85 dB)
• Lawn mowers (85 dB)

If you were recently exposed to loud noises like these, you may just have temporary tinnitus, which could go away within a few days. In some cases, temporary tinnitus can take longer to go away – if it lasts longer than two weeks, come in and see one of our audiologists for advice.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder where the immune system attacks the protective  sheath of nerve fibres, causing communication problems inside and outside of the brain. 

Common neurological symptoms of MS include muscle weakness and numbness of the extremities, vision problems, coordination problems, and fatigue. Unilateral tinnitus can also occur in MS. There are many treatments, such as anti-inflammatory steroids, that can slow down the progression of neurological symptoms of MS.