Investigate the causes of tinnitus.

Recently, I’ve noticed reduced hearing in one ear, accompanied by what seems to be tinnitus. I searched online for possible causes and wanted to understand what might be triggering it—so, what causes tinnitus?

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus may result from mental stress or excessive psychological pressure, or it may be associated with otitis media or hypertension. Prolonged exposure to noisy environments—or sudden exposure to extremely loud sounds, such as firecrackers or explosions—can also trigger tinnitus.

There are numerous potential causes of tinnitus; over one hundred medical conditions can produce tinnitus symptoms. Tinnitus represents the brain’s neurosensory response to damage affecting the ear and auditory system. It is commonly associated with hearing loss. The primary underlying cause is vascular disease, which most frequently leads to pulsatile tinnitus. Hearing-loss-related tinnitus is often age-associated—i.e., presbycusis (age-related hearing loss)—typically beginning around age 60. Tinnitus may also arise from middle ear obstruction or eustachian tube dysfunction, such as in secretory otitis media or cerumen impaction. Head trauma can damage nerves, blood vessels, and muscles, thereby inducing tinnitus; thus, tinnitus has many possible etiologies.

In daily life, avoid foods considered “triggering” in traditional Chinese medicine—including peanuts, shellfish (e.g., shrimp and crab), soybeans and soy products, beef, fried foods, and spicy dishes—as these may increase the risk of tinnitus recurrence. We hope this information proves helpful!