Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a disease that affects the inner ear. It is caused by abnormal pressure in the inner ear. Sometimes tinnitus is an early sign of this disease. [6]
Several symptoms are associated with Meniere’s disease, including tinnitus and dizziness. Meniere’s disease is a serious condition that is marked by a progressive loss of hearing that may affect one or both ears. It is more common in only one ear.
Changes to Ear Bone Structure
As some people age, the bones of their ears may change. The bones in parts of their ears may stiffen and impair normal hearing. The stiffening of these bones is called otosclerosis. Tinnitus is a common symptom associated with this condition. [7]
Otosclerosis is a hereditary disorder that causes progressive hearing loss and eventually leads to deafness. If you have family members with this condition, it may be the cause of the ringing in your ear.
Medications
Some drugs are ototoxic. Ototoxic means the drugs can impair the function of hearing organs. Some ototoxic drugs affect even the auditory nerve. Ototoxic drugs often cause or worsen existing tinnitus. The level of ringing in your ear is sometimes proportional to the dosage of these drugs you use.
Medications that are considered ototoxic include some diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antidepressants, anticancer drugs, and quinine-based antimalarial drugs. In most cases, the ringing in your ears clear once you stop using these drugs. According to the American Tinnitus Association, some ototoxic drugs cause permanent ear damage. [8]
If your suspect medication is the cause of your tinnitus, discuss it with your doctor. They may take you off your medication, adjust your dosages, or swap them for better alternatives.