The medications that cause tinnitus or ear ringing are also referred to as ototoxic drugs. They have the potential to result toxic reactions to structures of the inner inner ear including the cochlea and vestibule. Besides ringing in the ears, they may also cause loss of hearing and disequilibrium or dizziness.

The knowledge that certain drugs can actually result to tinitus is very important. You may be constantly taking one of them, and in high dosage at that, which may lead to permanent ototoxicity injuries. But before concluding that it is your medication that is causing the ringing in your ears, be reminded to see your doctor or health care provider first.

Drugs that have tinnitis as a side effect include:

-         analgesics like aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;

-         antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, and vancomycin;

-         chemotherapy drugs including bleomycin, cisplatin, mechlorethamine, methotrexate, and vincristine; and

-         loop diuretics including bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, and furosemide.

Furthermore, you should be careful with the kinds of medication that you use in treating ear ringing. It is because, although not necessarily, they may worsen the unwanted sound that you experience. Common examples include antidepressants, which are also being used by some ear ringing sufferers as relief agents.

Since certain conventional drugs may result in or worsen ringing in the ears, you may make use of alternative treatments as well as natural ones in the likes of lifestyle changes. Examples of alternative treatments that can help you with the unwanted sound include homeopathic remedies, herbal preparations, acupressure, acupuncture, counseling, hypnotherapy, meditation, reflexology, and relaxation therapy.

Your diet also plays a vital role in managing the unwanted sound. Salty foods should be avoided, as well as those that contain caffeine (e.g. coffee, soda, chocolates). You should also aim for a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in canned and frozen foods. A regular and proper exercise as well as enough sleep at night are also very important. An improvement in health, in general, improves tinnitus.

Besides the medications that cause tinnitus, certain medical conditions can also result this ringing in the ears. These include noise-induced cochlear damage, stress, sinus problems, allergic reactions, Meniere's Disease, age-associated loss of hearing, earwax impaction, middle ear effusion, acoustic neuroma,  temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, whiplash injury, muscle tension, thyroid disorder, vitamin B12 deficiency, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and malformation of the capillaries.