What can cause a constant low rumbling in my ear?

Doctor's Answers 1

ENT Doctor

You may be experiencing tinnitus, which is often described as a "ringing sound in the ear". Tinnitus can be broadly classified as subjective (when there is no external sound stimulus) and objective (when it is due to the presence of a sound stimulus).

Some of the causes include:

Subjective tinnitus

Hearing loss
Earwax
Ear infections
Stress
Lack of sleep
Medications

2. Objective tinnitus

Sound from nearby blood vessels
Clicking sound from nearby muscles (e.g. in the ear, jaw joint area or palate)
Tumours

Subjective tinnitus represents more than 95% of tinnitus seen in my practice. Majority of the time, tinnitus is not due to a serious medical or health condition. If your tinnitus is persistent, you should visit an ENT Specialist for an assessment. A full ENT and head & neck examination is required and often includes a hearing test.

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