Should you call an audiologist? Here’s what could be causing tinnitus in one ear.
Sudden chronic tinnitus is concerning and can be annoying, whether it is mild or severe. If you experience unilateral tinnitus, which is tinnitus affecting only one ear, your body could be telling you something is off rather than that your entire hearing system is compromised. Chronic tinnitus in one ear can go away on its own, but some cases call for immediate medical attention.
When to Get Emergency Medical Attention
Sudden Hearing Loss
Sudden hearing loss, even in one ear, is worth stopping what you are doing and getting medical attention. Call an audiologist to get scheduled for treatment. Getting immediate treatment for sudden hearing loss gives you a much better chance of recovering your hearing than if you let it go for a few days. Unilateral hearing loss can accompany sudden hearing loss.
Vertigo or Double Vision
If your unilateral tinnitus is accompanied by dizziness, double vision, or any balance issues, it is worth calling an audiologist for treatment. Tinnitus and vertigo together can signal a serious inner ear problem that an audiologist can address.
Facial Weakness
Facial weakness or paralysis should not be ignored, whether tinnitus is present or not. It could indicate a neurological problem, a stroke, or a tumor.
Heart Conditions
Pulsatile tinnitus, in which the throbbing in your ear matches your heartbeat, could indicate a heart problem.
Common Causes of Unilateral Tinnitus
Impacted Earwax
If you have muffled hearing and tinnitus due to impacted earwax, a simple ear irrigation service can get rid of your tinnitus (and muffled hearing) immediately. The difference is night and day!
Ear Infection
An ear infection can cause the Eustachian tube, which connects the back of the throat to the inner ear, to dysfunction. When the ear has a dysfunction of any kind, it could result in tinnitus. Ear infections are temporary, but see an audiologist if you experience a ruptured ear drum.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)
If you have a clenched jaw, jaw pain, or any other kind of TMJ disorder, the problem can affect your ear’s system. They are very close together, and any disturbance could be enough to cause your ear to dysfunction and result in tinnitus. Dealing with the TMJ disorder can help relieve tinnitus.
Loud Noise Exposure
Loud noise exposure can also cause tinnitus for a prolonged period. It usually goes away with time, but your ear needs rest and proper hearing protection for future exposure.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, and Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.