I have had intermittent ringing in both my ears for a few months. Sometimes constantly, sometimes very suddenly, even sometimes the ringing seems to pulsate. I'd heard these symptons can be from high blood pressure, and even though I monitored my pulse while the ringing was pulsating, the two didn't coincide, I went and had my pressure read. My doctor said I'm normal and recommended a few days off and to relax. Do I have anything to be concerned about or am I being psycosymatic:confused: (sp)?

This happens to me sometimes. I thought of the high blood pressure theory, but my blood pressure is normal too. It started for me when I was a teenager, I got in the car with a guy that had a really loud sound system, and of course he cranked it all the way up. I am serious this was as loud as an explosion. After that, every once in a while, my ears ring. It's the only reason I can think of why my ears ring. Have you been around any really loud noises lately that put a lot of strain on your ears?

Ahh, the age old question... Tinnitus... Here are some excerpts I have found from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

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Is the Ringing in My Ears Normal?

Not at all. Tinnitus is the name for these head noises, and they are very common. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this discomfort. Tinnitus may come and go, or you 302may be aware of a continuous sound. It can vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal or whine, and you may hear it in one or both ears. When the ringing is constant, it can be annoying and distracting. More than seven million people are afflicted so severely that they cannot lead normal lives.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Most tinnitus comes from damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. The health of these nerve endings is important for acute hearing, and injury to them brings on hearing loss and often tinnitus. If you are older, advancing age is generally accompanied by a certain amount of hearing nerve impairment and tinnitus. If you are younger, exposure to loud noise is probably the leading cause of tinnitus, and often damages hearing as well.

There are many causes for "subjective tinnitus," the noise only you can hear. Some causes are not serious (a small plug of wax in the ear canal might cause temporary tinnitus). Tinnitus can also be a symptom of stiffening of the middle ear bones (otosclerosis).

Tinnitus may also be caused by allergy, high or low blood pressure (blood circulation problems), a tumor, diabetes, thyroid problems, injury to the head or neck, and a variety of other causes including medications such as anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, sedatives, antidepressants, and aspirin. If you take aspirin and your ears ring, talk to your doctor about dosage in relation to your size.

Treatment will be quite different in each case of tinnitus. It is important to see an otolaryngologist to investigate the cause of your tinnitus so that the best treatment can be determined.

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Wow, thanks for that info! I didn't even know there was a technical term for it.. lol. :)

Yep, Tinnitus! It's damage done to the tiny hairs in your ear. It is why musicians (Save for maybe Alice Cooper because he said he would never wear them) wear eag plugs when they are up on stage. If you go to a lot of places that are loud, not even a concert, but just loud, depending on the decible level, you could be doing damage to your ears which causes that ringing. I learned about this when I was going to school for a music industry related job.

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Originally Posted by nauticalstar420

This happens to me sometimes....a lot of strain on your ears?

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Just listening to my wife... ;)

It's not just music or loud noises that cause tinnitus. Other things like side-effects of medicine, medicinal overdoses (aspirin comes first to mind), as well as other medical conditions.

Yes, loud noises such as the kind musicians are exposed to is certainly one cause.

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Originally Posted by J_9

Ahh, the age old question.....Tinnitus... Here are some excerpts I have found from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

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I have been taking pain meds for a disc concern. I'm feeling better from that and have been reducing meds. Should be quieter soon?

What med are you taking, I'll look it up for you in my Mosby's.

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Originally Posted by CaptainRich

Just listening to my wife...;)

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LOL isn't that a coincidence, my husband compares me to a ringing in his ears too. :)

Tinnitus. I feel better, just knowing. Janine hit that one out of the park
Thank you, both!

Good to know that you are feeling better Rich!!

Hope it goes away soon when you are done with the meds.