Humming in Ears May be Permanent

Q:  Can anything be done with a humming and echo in the ear? This has been going on for some time. I've had a CT scan of my head and a nerve conduction study that were normal. I've been told by two different doctors that nothing can be done, and I have to live with the condition. Is there anything else I can do?

A:  Although not debilitating, a constant auditory sensation can be quite frustrating and fatiguing. What you describe could be known as tinnitus, which can generate ringing, roaring, clicking, or hissing sounds in the ears. Parts of your own hearing apparatus are actually the source of the noise. Most people worry that this is suggestive of a more serious medical problem, but that is rarely the case.

Commonly used medications such as aspirin can cause tinnitus. It would be worthwhile to review the side effects of any drugs you are taking with your pharmacist or doctor.

Other causes may include Meniere's disease, which is characterized by attacks of fluctuant hearing loss, roaring tinnitus and dizziness. Even less likely are tumors of the nerve responsible for hearing.

Otolaryngologists - or ear, nose and throat ("ENT") specialists - are your best source for advice. The Medical College of Wisconsin's Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Sciences can provide you with the services of a neuro-otologist, a doctor with expertise in this area. Although there is no cure for tinnitus, many therapies exist that might help you with your symptoms.

There are tinnitus support groups in some large cities. The American Tinnitus Association might also be a source of information.

For more information on this topic, see the HealthLink article Treating Tinnitus.

"Your Health" provides easy-to-understand information about common health conditions.