I have a ringing noise in my ear...?

[Michael1337]

Almost anytime it's quiet, like especially when I'm going to sleep, I'll hear a mild noise or ringing in my ears... and it's starting to annoy me..as long as if I can remember it's been almost a year now..and it is louder after I listen to some music. The music wouldn't even be necessarily "loud" it could be at like 50% on my iPod touch (which isn't loud) and after that (I use Sony extra bass headphones) I'll hear the annoying noise...... what is this? Is this bad? Should I see a Ear, nose, throat doctor? Could it be serious? Could it be treated? I hate it, I want it to stop, I don't want to live with this. Thank you.

[DPL54]

I have the same clicking in my ears from time to time. Mostly it is when my allergies act up. The allergies cause everything in my ears, sinus and nose to swell including my eustachian tubes. I've been in immunotherapy for about 2 yrs. That has helped a lot, but with all the hot dry weather my allergies are now acting up more because of mold spores in the air.

I have also heard of something called "sticky ear" which has similar symptoms. I'd ask your doctor and if you have no better results seek out an allergist.

[meniere135]

Clicking ears - I know that also can have many causes.  My clicking ears were apparently caused by cow's milk intolerance.  I'd read that milk was the #1 cause of ear infections in children who got them frequently.  So I thought maybe milk effects the ears alot....so I gave it a try and it stopped the clicking in my case. After 4 or 5 days of being completely milk free (not even butter), I felt a trickling down both my eustachian tubes at the same time and realized I could hear more clearly (I was muffled before the diet) and that the clicking sound stopped when I swallowed.  It was as if my eustachian tubes were swollen because of the milk.  I started with ear troubles when I was pregnant with my second child.  I guess my immune system went off track at that time.  

It could be mold allergies, etc.  You'll have to check in with a doctor and try to eliminate possible causes and see if you can find your answer.

Hope this helps!

[Michael1337]

Thanks a ton, well I won't elimiate the iPod use completely but I'll definitely use it much less..I just cannot live without my music sometimes.......and I also forgot to include that EVERY time I swallow, my ears click...and as long as if I can remember this it was a few years..it's like I got a cold, and the ear part of it never went away..also when I yawn they'll click around too..

[meniere135]

Hi there!  The causes of tinnitus (noise in the ears) are many.  Your ringing sounds mild since your attention is only drawn to it in the quiet.  You'd be surprised how many people have this.  My oldest daughter has had it since grade school...and hers is worsened temporarily by loud music but returns to the usual mild noises in a day or two.  Hers also seems to worsen with colds or allergies.   I've had tinnitus for many years.  Mine was connected to gluten intolerance (found in wheat, barley, rye and oats).  The noise never went away completely, but reduced back to easily tolerated.  It never hurts to see an ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor).  Do you have any other symptoms?  Any hearing loss, dizziness, full feeling in the ear?  Were you exposed to loud noises around the time that it started?  

When my daughter started with it, I asked around to see if others had this problem and I found many people have this problem.  If it bothers you at night, just keep a radio next to your bed and play it loud enough to mask the noise.  Tinnitus is one of those things....if you pay attention to it and get stressed about it, it seems to get louder.  

Until you see a doctor, avoid using your Ipod.  If the doctor doesn't find anything on exam, ask if a food elimination diet should be tried to see if you get relief.  Avoid concerts - they are terrible on the ears.  Hang in there!  If you have any questions, just leave me a message.  Hope this helps!