5 reasons why your left ear is ringing

Ringing in the ears can range from a subtle whisper to an invasive buzz, often prompting questions about its origins. If you’ve noticed a sudden or persistent ringing in your left ear, you’re definitely not alone. This phenomenon, often referred to as tinnitus, has various potential causes. Let’s delve into five possible reasons why your left ear might be ringing.

1. What is tinnitus?

The most common reason for ringing in the ears is tinnitus. This condition affects approximately 15-20% of people and can stem from various causes. Whether it’s ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring, the sound can be constant or intermittent and can vary in volume.

Possible Causes of Tinnitus Include:

• Exposure to loud noises
• Earwax blockage
• Age-related hearing loss
• Ear or sinus infections
• Certain medications

2. Earwax Buildup

While earwax is a natural protective substance, excessive buildup can lead to pressure, discomfort, and ringing. A blockage might occur more in one ear, potentially explaining the unilateral ringing in your left ear.

“Pindrop Hearing microsuctioned out the wax—not only could I see the change on camera very clearly, but I’m hearing everything so much more crisply, even a few days later! The wax must have been blocking high frequencies that I didn’t even realise I was missing.”– Ben W

3. Medications

Some medications, both over-the-counter and prescription-based, can have tinnitus as a side effect. These might include certain antibiotics, diuretics, painkillers, and high-dose aspirin.

4. Injury or Trauma

Injuries or trauma to the head or neck can result in ringing in the ears. This may be due to effects on the inner ear, auditory nerves, or brain areas responsible for sound processing.

5. Underlying Health Conditions

High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, circulatory issues, anaemia, allergies, and autoimmune diseases might cause or exacerbate tinnitus. Furthermore, stress and anxiety can amplify the perception of ringing, even if they’re not direct causes.

Seeking a Solution? Consider Pindrop Hearing

If you’re experiencing ringing in one or both ears, it’s imperative not to dismiss it. While it might be temporary, it could also signify an underlying health issue or hearing problem.

After your diagnostic tests, we will tailor the following therapies to your individual needs. This will help treat the symptoms of Tinnitus you suffer from effectively.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This is to alter your perception of tinnitus.

Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, we will help you focus on the positive outcomes of coping with your ailment. Learn how CBT can help alleviate the emotions you experience with your condition.

Hearing aids

These could help to control your Tinnitus.

Often the underlying cause of Tinnitus is due to a hearing loss. We use hearing aids to correct the hearing loss and find that by increasing the ambient sounds, we have a dulling or total masking of the Tinnitus.

Sound Therapy

Sound is used to partially/completely cover the Tinnitus with the use of both wearable and/or non-wearable devices.

Biofeedback

This is a relaxation technique that tries to change your body’s reaction to stress.

This encourages you to control involuntary bodily functions (such as pulse and muscle tension).

What our patients ask us most about tinnitus

How quickly can I get an appointment for a tinnitus assessment?

At Pindrop Hearing, we strive to schedule patients for an assessment usually within a week, ensuring you receive prompt attention and care for your hearing health concerns.

Is it possible to prevent tinnitus?

While not all cases of tinnitus can be prevented, you can reduce your risk by protecting your ears from loud noise exposure and managing stress levels.

Is tinnitus more common in one ear or both?

Tinnitus can affect one ear or both ears. The perception of the sound may vary; some people experience it more in one ear, while others hear it in both equally. The specific characteristics of tinnitus, including which ear it is heard, can help us in diagnosing its underlying cause.

Can tinnitus be cured?

Tinnitus unfortunately cannot be cured. However, with effective treatment strategies and therapies, the impact can be significantly reduced. For some, treatments can lead to a substantial reduction in the perception of tinnitus, minimising its presence in daily life.

Early treatment for hearing problems is important, as prompt actions can often lead to better outcomes.

Book your assessment

Why Choose Pindrop Hearing?

Our comprehensive tinnitus assessment is just £295

As mentioned above, tinnitus entails hearing a sound even in the absence of any external noise, affecting one or both ears. It can be distressing and can compromise your quality of life. Our comprehensive initial assessment will help pinpoint potential causes for your tinnitus, allowing us to devise strategies to alleviate symptoms and restore peace of mind.

Thorough Consultation

Our in-depth consultation process allows us to recommend the perfect hearing aid tailored to you and your lifestyle. We pride ourselves on offering a range of digital hearing aids that deliver both on quality and comfort, trusting them as the best available in the market.

Professional Fitting

Modern hearing aids have evolved significantly, but their efficacy hinges on correct settings. It’s crucial that the devices are meticulously programmed and fitted to your specific hearing prescription. Otherwise, you might miss out on the full spectrum of potential benefits. At Pindrop Hearing, we adhere to Best Practice, Evidence-based protocols, such as Real Ear Measurements and Speech In Noise testing, ensuring optimal results for your hearing.

When it comes to hearing health, settling for subpar standards shouldn’t be an option. Pindrop Hearing stands out from the competition, ensuring that every patient receives unparalleled care and attention. Book an appointment today and let us steer you towards optimal hearing health.

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