The ringing in your ears does not come from nowhere. There has to be a cause, and it is important to have it determined. What causes ringing ears is an underlying medical condition, hence, the presence of the unwanted sound should not be taken for granted. You should go see your doctor and consult him or her about it, so that appropriate tests can be taken in order that the root cause be determined.

Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying medical condition, hence, it is primarily treated according to its cause. The source of the unwanted sound for around half of its cases, though, cannot be identified.

Several conditions are associated with tinnitus. One of these is noise-induced cochlear damage, which is deemed as the cause of around 90% of the cases of ringing in the ears. As its name implies, it is brought about by constant exposure to loud noise. And, in this generation of MP3 players, it would not be surprising if the sufferers of tinnitis is getting younger and younger.

Stress is another common source of the unwanted sound. It is a double-edged sword because it is also one of the symptoms of ear ringing, and it tends to increase the level of this unwanted sound at the same time. Thus, much emphasis is put on proper stress management.

Sinus problems or allergic reactions and Meniere's Disease are conditions also commonly associated with ear ringing. Sufferers of sinusitis and allergies usually take antibiotics and antihistamines to treat the conditions. These medications can thicken the mucous in the middle ear, which can result to middle ear infections as well as tinnitus. Meniere's Disease, on the other hand, is an inner ear disorder, the symptoms of which include vertigo, hearing fluctuation, a sense of fullness in the ears, and ear ringing.

Furthermore, what causes ringing ears can also be:

• presbycusis or age-associated hearing loss – this usually occurs around age 60.
• temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems – jaw disorders that result in clicking or grating noises
• earwax impaction – excess earwax buildup can reduce your ability to hear outside noises
• otosclerosis – an ear disorder marked by unusual stiffness or lack of flexibility of the tiny bones of the middle ear
• hypertension – also known as high blood pressure
• anemia – a condition in which blood levels of hemoglobin are below normal
• atherosclerosis – a disease in which plaque builds up on the insides of the arteries