Hearing a ringing, buzzing or humming sound in one ear can be worrying, especially when it doesn’t go away. This is known as unilateral tinnitus, which means tinnitus affecting one side only.
Tinnitus is common and often isn’t serious. However, symptoms affecting one ear should be checked by a specialist, so they can look for the cause and rule out anything that may need treatment.
In some cases, unilateral tinnitus is linked to treatable ear conditions. Occasionally, it can point to something more significant that needs further investigation.
What is unilateral tinnitus?
Tinnitus is when you hear sounds, such as ringing, buzzing or humming, that aren’t coming from an outside source. Some people hear the sound often, while others only notice it now and then.
When tinnitus affects just one ear, it’s called unilateral tinnitus. It can sometimes happen alongside hearing loss, dizziness or a feeling of pressure in the ear.
Common causes of one-sided tinnitus
There are several possible causes of unilateral tinnitus. Some are relatively minor, while others need assessment from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
Earwax blockage
A build-up of earwax can affect how sound travels through the ear canal and may trigger ringing or muffled hearing. Impacted wax (where earwax hardens and starts to block the ear canals) can also create a sensation of fullness or discomfort in one ear. Professional removal often improves symptoms quickly.
Hearing loss
Changes in hearing are one of the most common reasons for tinnitus. Age-related hearing loss and noise-related damage can both affect one ear more than the other.
Some people notice that conversations are harder to hear or that sounds feel less clear on one side.
Inner ear conditions
Problems affecting the inner ear can lead to tinnitus alongside dizziness or balance issues. Conditions such as labyrinthitis may cause ringing, along with vertigo (a spinning sensation) or hearing changes.
Sudden hearing loss
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is considered a medical emergency and often affects one ear. This means hearing loss caused by a problem in the inner ear or hearing nerve.
Symptoms can develop rapidly over hours or days and may include tinnitus, blocked hearing or dizziness. Prompt treatment is important because early intervention can improve recovery.
Acoustic neuroma
In rare cases, unilateral tinnitus can be caused by an acoustic neuroma. This is a non-cancerous growth that affects the hearing and balance nerve.
Symptoms often develop gradually and may include hearing loss, imbalance or ongoing ringing on one side.
When should unilateral tinnitus be checked?
It’s sensible to arrange an ENT assessment if tinnitus affects only one ear, particularly if it:
- Lasts for several (> six) weeks
- Gets worse over time
- Happens alongside hearing loss
- Is associated with dizziness or balance problems
- Feels pulsating or rhythmic
- Develops suddenly
Many causes aren’t serious. Even so, specialist assessment helps identify the reason for your symptoms and makes sure important conditions aren’t missed.
How ENT specialists investigate unilateral tinnitus
Assessment usually begins with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, hearing and general health. Your specialist will examine your ears carefully, and they may arrange hearing tests to look for differences between each ear.
Depending on the findings, they may sometimes recommend further tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This scan creates detailed pictures of the inside of the body and can help rule out problems affecting the hearing nerve or inner ear.
Don’t ignore persistent one-sided ringing
Living with tinnitus can be frustrating and tiring, particularly when symptoms affect one side only, and the cause is unclear. While many cases are linked to manageable conditions, it’s important not to ignore ongoing unilateral tinnitus.
Mr Wale Olarinde is an experienced ENT specialist who investigates tinnitus, hearing loss and balance disorders. If you’re experiencing persistent ringing in one ear, arranging an assessment can help identify the cause and guide the most appropriate treatment.
Book a consultation with ENT Sheffield today, and find relief from your tinnitus symptoms.