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What Can Cause A Swishing Sound in Your Ear?

It is estimated that 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, a medical condition that manifests as a persistent ringing, whooshing or swishing sound in your ear.

 
 
Because the sound originates from inside the ear, people suffering from tinnitus may feel like an ocean is a roaring inside their head. If you want to get an idea of what a person with tinnitus hears, check American Tinnitus Association’s Sounds of Tinnitus.
 
The ringing in your ear that you may experience after a concert is an example of temporary, or short-term, tinnitus. But for millions of people, the condition is more severe, and they suffer from chronic tinnitus. It is quite common among people who are above the age of 55 and is a strong indicator of hearing loss.
 

Causes of tinnitus

While the researchers are still looking to determine causes of tinnitus and where it actually comes from, there are strong relationships with other health conditions or disorders such as:
  • Earwax buildup, a perforated eardrum, or something touching the eardrum
  • Infection, allergies, otosclerosis, Meniere’s disease, or tumors in the middle ear
  • Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) due to chronic exposure to loud noises or the natural aging process
  • Trauma to the head or neck, neck misalignment, or a TMJ disorder
  • Systemic conditions such as diabetes, vascular disorders, thyroid dysfunction, or low blood pressure
  • Ototoxic (toxic to the ear) medications including anti-inflammatory medication, antidepressants, sedatives and the myecin family of antibiotics
  • Certain cancer treating drugs, especially cisplatin and carboplatin
Additionally, consuming certain things such as alcohol, caffeine and medicines containing salicylates such as Ibuprofen and Pepto-Bismal may severely worsen the symptoms of tinnitus in some people.
 
Many tinnitus patients also have hearing loss, but a ringing or swishing sound in your ear doesn't necessarily mean that you're losing your hearing.
 

What should you do if you have tinnitus?

The first thing to do is to visit your primary care physician who will check for excess ear wax buildup in the ear canal or other medical conditions and medications that may be causing the problem. An ENT specialist can examine your neck, head, and ears and also test your hearing to determine if you have hearing loss along with tinnitus. If there is a serious problem, you may be required to consult an audiologist who will do further testing to evaluate the extent of hearing loss and tinnitus.
 

Is there a cure for tinnitus?

There is no single cure for the condition, but it can be effectively managed by working with a hearing care professional (HCP) who will develop a personalized treatment plan for you. With the help of advanced hearing aid technology, and the expert guidance of your HCP, you will learn how to deal with the persistent annoyance of tinnitus. Don’t worry if you have hearing loss also along with tinnitus: According to the Better Hearing Institute, up to 60% of hearing aid users reported at least some relief from tinnitus by using hearing aids to improve their hearing.
 
Improving your overall well-being will also make it easier for you to cope with the condition. Relaxation, exercise, and healthy eating are always recommended.
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Reviewed By

Kathy McGowan, AuD CCC-A, Doctor of Audiology

Kathy McGowan is the Manager of Managed Care Programs with Beltone Corporation . Kathy worked with the Professional Development Training Team as well as the Operations Team and Beltone Corporate Retail for 8 years before being promoted to her current position. Prior to joining Beltone Corporate, Kathy worked for 10 years as an Audiology Manager in a private practice. She has worked in many settings as an Audiologist including an ENT practice, a hospital, an Optical and Hearing Company, and in the Military, retiring as a LtCol. Kathy earned her Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing and Master’s in Audiology from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and went on to receive her Audiology Doctorate from A.T. Still University School of Health Sciences. Kathy is currently licensed in seven states.

 

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