Ringing in the ears - when whistling and ringing become part of everyday life

Everyone has probably experienced ringing in the ears: a beeping, buzzing or hissing in the ear, often after particularly loud situations, which usually disappears quickly.

But these noises don't always go away, sometimes they become an unwanted part of everyday life. 

Find out below what ringing in the ears is, what causes it, when it is chronic and what treatment options are available.

What is ringing in the ears?

Ear noises are sounds that are perceived by people even though they cannot be attributed to an external sound source. Rather, these noises originate in the ear, or in the hearing itself. Nevertheless, they can also seem like external noises to those affected.

Depending on the person and the cause, these ear noises manifest themselves in very different ways, for example as hissing and roaring, humming or hissing or as ringing, whistling or beeping. The duration as well as the volume or pitch can vary. Sometimes ringing in the ears is one-sided, in some cases it can be bilateral. 

Generally, ringing in the ears is harmless and only lasts for a short time. They occur, for example, when we have been exposed to noise such as loud music or tool noises. They usually disappear again after one to a few minutes, but if the ringing in the ears is permanent and has not disappeared even after several weeks, it is referred to as chronic tinnitus.

What ear noises are there?

As already mentioned, ringing in the ears can occur in many different ways, from whistling and ringing to booming, hissing, humming, cracking or other sounds.

Typical ear noises are

• Ringing in the ears: Ringing in the ears often refers to short-term noises in the ears - in contrast to tinnitus, where the sound is usually permanently audible for the person affected. However, ringing in the ears can also manifest itself in different sounds (crackling, humming, whistling, etc.), volumes and frequencies.
  
  
• Ringing in the ears: For many sufferers, ringing in the ears sounds like a constant background noise. For some people, this noise sounds like the sound of water or wind, for others like television or radio static. The noise can be continuous or temporary and can vary in volume and intensity. Sometimes the noise in the ear is one-sided, sometimes it is a double-sided noise.
  
  
• Whistling in the ear: Whistling in the ear is often described as particularly unpleasant, especially if it is a constant whistling or beeping. Whistling in the ear is often associated with tinnitus, even though tinnitus can also make itself felt through other ear noises such as hissing or buzzing. This depends on the individual person or the cause etc. 

Pulsating ringing in the ears: Pulsating ringing in the ears sounds or feels like a regular throbbing, as if you can feel the heartbeat in your ear. This can also be what is known as "pulse-synchronous tinnitus". In this case, the ringing in the ears is synchronized with the heartbeat, decreasing or increasing with it.

Ringing in the ears can also occur in many other forms or tones, including droning, humming, cracking, ringing or hissing. For some sufferers, the ringing in the ears also sounds like a babble of voices or mumbling, as if several people are talking. Others even experience ringing in the ears as music or melody.

Which noises in the ear are normal? Which noises in the ear are dangerous?

Often, ringing in the ears is nothing to worry about. They quickly occur when we have been exposed to noise for too long, for example at concerts or discos, on building sites or in traffic. Afterwards, "normal" ringing in the ears such as booming or ringing in the ears occurs, but this usually disappears on its own after a short time.

However, ringing in the ears can also sometimes indicate illnesses or serious diseases. These ear diseases include otitis media, inflammation of the ear canal, Meniere's disease, tympanic effusion, sudden hearing loss or cholesteatoma. Noises in the ears can also indicate the onset of hearing loss.
You should therefore visit an ENT specialist, especially if you notice other symptoms such as earache, fever, dizziness or hearing loss in addition to the noises in your ears, or if the noises do not go away on their own. They will be able to discuss the appropriate treatment with you.

Ringing in the ears or tinnitus?

Contrary to popular belief, ringing in the ears is not always tinnitus. Tinnitus is only referred to as persistent ringing in the ears, i.e. when it is not just temporary but occurs over a longer period of time. 

The triggers of tinnitus can be very different, because many people don't know this either: Tinnitus is a symptom and not a disease. 

But unlike "normal" ringing in the ears, tinnitus noises do not disappear. They remain permanent. What's more, the noises in tinnitus cannot be attributed to a specific source, as they do not come "from outside", but originate inside the person's hearing. Tinnitus is therefore difficult to treat and can also be very stressful, both physically and psychologically.

Causes of ringing in the ears

Similar to earache, the reasons, causes or triggers for ringing in the ears can also be very different. You can find some triggers below:

• Noise: Noise is a particularly common cause of ringing in the ears. For example, if we are exposed to loud noises such as music, traffic or construction site noise for too long, we often notice beeping, roaring or hissing afterwards. Noise can also damage the cochlea in the inner ear, resulting in tinnitus.
  
  
• Stress: Inner restlessness, anxiety and stress can be reflected in various physical symptoms, including ringing in the ears.
  
  
• Diseases: Ringing in the ears is also a symptom of many ear diseases or injuries, such as sudden hearing loss, otitis media, ear canal inflammation or otosclerosis, which causes changes to the bone structures in the inner ear and middle ear area that affect the transmission of sounds. Ear noises can also be a symptom of colds, flu or coronavirus.
  

• Impairment of the cervical spine: In addition to various diseases, muscle tension is also thought to be a trigger for ringing in the ears - ear noises caused by neck tension in particular are therefore still being researched.
  
  
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure is also considered a cause of ringing in the ears. High blood pressure can worsen the blood supply in the inner ear. A pulsating noise in the ear, on the other hand, can be the first symptom of high blood pressure and should ideally be checked by a doctor.
  
  
• Ringing in the ears after surgery: Many patients also notice ringing in the ears after an operation. Reasons for this can be, for example, increased blood pressure, stress and anxiety in connection with the operation or, in the case of ear surgery, the tamponade in the ear. It is important to inform the doctor treating you about ringing in the ears in order to rule out possible injuries to the inner ear.
  
  
• Medication: Taking certain medications can also be a cause of ringing in the ears. It is therefore important that you tell your doctor about these during the examination.

Hearing loss: In the case of hearing loss, signals are no longer transmitted or processed correctly from the ear to the brain. This can be caused, for example, by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear or problems in the auditory nerve. These damaged hair cells can lead to certain sounds and frequencies no longer being transmitted or being transmitted "incorrectly".

Noises in the ears what to do?

If you notice ringing in the ears, it is first of all important not to ignore them and to observe them closely. If the symptoms do not improve, regardless of their severity, it is always important to consult an ENT specialist. They can make the correct diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment if necessary. 

If you are diagnosed with chronic tinnitus, there are a number of aids and measures that can help to alleviate the symptoms, reduce ringing in the ears and thus improve your quality of life.

These include, among others

• Hearing aids: Ringing in the ears or tinnitus can be treated with hearing aids. Special hearing aids with a so-called tinnitus noiser or tinnitus masker are usually used for this purpose. These noise generators produce a "white noise", a uniform noise that overlays the tinnitus.
  
  
• Tinnitus apps: There are now various apps for smartphones and tablets that are designed to help tinnitus patients. They offer information, relaxation exercises, meditation and sound therapy, for example, or filter the personal tinnitus frequency from your own favorite music for individual therapy.
  
  
• Medication: In the treatment of ringing in the ears and tinnitus, various blood circulation-promoting and anti-inflammatory medications can also be used. The medication is determined by the ENT specialist.
  
  
• Home remedies for ringing in the ears: As is often the case, a healthy, balanced diet is recommended to prevent ear problems. There are also a few foods that promise relief for ringing in the ears, for example ginger and garlic, which promote blood circulation, or foods with anti-inflammatory properties such as turmeric or onions.
  
  
• Relaxation and rest: As stress can be a trigger for ringing in the ears, rest and relaxation are another way to reduce it. Various techniques and exercises, such as meditation, yoga and autogenic training, are ways in which you can even actively learn to relax.

Audiotherapy: Audiotherapy with an audiotherapist teaches you how to deal with hearing loss or ringing in the ears, as well as tips and tricks and technical aids etc.