What causes tinnitus in one ear?
Nov 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
In general, tinnitus in one ear may be caused by auditory fatigue, pressure on one ear, external otitis, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, acoustic neuroma, or other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, one should develop healthy ear-use habits, avoid prolonged use of headphones on one side, maintain ear canal hygiene, and refrain from randomly cleaning the ears.
Generally, tinnitus in one ear may be caused by auditory fatigue, pressure on one side of the ear, external otitis, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or acoustic neuroma. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:
1. Auditory fatigue: Prolonged use of headphones on one side or exposure to noisy environments can damage inner ear hair cells, leading to tinnitus. Immediately leave noisy environments, remove headphones, allow the ears adequate rest, and avoid prolonged exposure to high-decibel sounds.
2. Pressure on one ear: Consistently sleeping with pressure on one ear can impair local blood circulation and cause tinnitus. Adjust sleeping posture to avoid unilateral pressure, and gently massage around the ear with fingertips to promote blood flow.
3. External otitis: Bacterial infection causing inflammation of the external auditory canal; inflammatory secretions may stimulate the eardrum and induce tinnitus. Follow medical advice to use ofloxacin ear drops, cefaclor capsules, or amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium tablets, and keep the ear canal dry and clean.
4. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss: Blockage or spasm of blood vessels in the inner ear leads to rapid hearing decline, often accompanied by tinnitus. Medications such as methylprednisolone tablets, ginkgo biloba extract tablets, and mecobalamin tablets may be used under medical guidance. Avoid fatigue and maintain emotional stability during treatment.
5. Acoustic neuroma: Abnormal growth of the auditory nerve compresses surrounding tissues, resulting in tinnitus and hearing loss. Treatments may include vitamin B1 tablets, vitamin B12 injections, and citicoline sodium capsules as directed by a physician. Surgical removal of the tumor may be necessary in some cases.
Maintain healthy ear habits in daily life: avoid prolonged use of headphones on one side, keep the ear canal clean and avoid inserting objects into the ear. Regular hearing check-ups and prompt intervention upon onset of tinnitus help preserve long-term hearing health.
