Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Ringing in the ears

04/21/2008 07:57PM

Question:

I have constant ringing in both ears which is getting louder and louder. I have also started having a buzzing sound in the mornings when I get up, but it goes away after I`ve been up a while. I have had surgery to replace the stapes in each ear and have significant hearing loss (need hearing aids). Is there anything that can help with these noises? I have managed to deal with this for some time without going nuts, but it is getting harder and harder.

Answer:

Tinnitus is very common, especially in patients with hearing loss.
I would recommend that you get a repeat hearing test. You may just need to adjust your hearing aids.
Due to your history of stapes surgery (and presumed otosclerosis), you should consider being on fluoride tablets and multivitamins. That may help.
There are some patients with severe otosclerosis, hearing loss, and tinnitus who require cochlear implants.
Please discuss with your otologist.

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Response by:

Ravi N Samy, MD, FACS
Assistant Professor
Department of Otolaryngology
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati