Hearing change
Tinnitus and Ringing in the Ears in Nottingham
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing a sound that is not coming from an external source. It may be ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, whooshing, roaring or musical sounds, and can affect one ear, both ears or feel as though it is inside the head.
Common symptoms and signs
Symptoms can overlap between different ear conditions. A careful clinical assessment helps ensure treatment is guided by your symptoms, clinical history and examination findings.
- Ringing, buzzing or humming sounds
- Whooshing or pulsating sounds
- Tinnitus with hearing difficulty
- Tinnitus after noise exposure
- One-sided or persistent tinnitus
Common ear and hearing-related associations
Tinnitus can occur alongside hearing change, wax, ear canal irritation, infection, inflammation, middle-ear pressure or noise exposure. Ear examination and hearing assessment can help guide the most appropriate support.
Wax build-up or ear canal irritation
Noise exposure
Ear infection or inflammation
Middle-ear pressure or eardrum changes
Doctor-led assessment at Nottingham Ear Clinic
Nottingham Ear Clinic can assess the ears medically and identify treatable causes such as wax or infection. Where appropriate, patients can be referred for audiology-led tinnitus management and hearing assessment.
When to seek urgent medical advice
Most ear symptoms can be assessed in a routine appointment, but some warning symptoms should not wait.
- Sudden hearing loss, especially in one ear
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
- Facial weakness, confusion or severe headache
- Marked dizziness, collapse or severe balance disturbance
- Swelling, redness or tenderness spreading around the ear
- High temperature or feeling very unwell, particularly if you have diabetes or reduced immune function
If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or concerning, seek advice from your GP, NHS 111, an urgent treatment centre or 999 in an emergency.
Related ear care services
Private ENT Consultation
Doctor-led assessment for ear pain, discharge, tinnitus, dizziness and complex ear symptoms.
Microsuction Wax Removal
Safe, precise ear wax removal where wax is present and treatment is clinically appropriate.
Ear Infection Treatment
Assessment and treatment advice for painful, itchy, inflamed or discharging ears.
Private Hearing Care
Ear and hearing health checks with access to full hearing assessments from experienced audiologists.
Tinnitus Management
Assessment and support for ringing, buzzing, humming or whooshing sounds.
Hearing Protection
Custom hearing protection, ear impressions and advice for noise exposure.
Frequently asked questions
Helpful answers about tinnitus and when to book an appointment.
Can tinnitus affect one ear only?
Yes. Tinnitus can affect one ear, both ears or feel as though it is coming from inside the head. One-sided tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus or tinnitus with sudden hearing change may require further medical investigation.
Can wax cause tinnitus?
Wax can sometimes contribute to tinnitus or make existing tinnitus more noticeable. The ear should be examined before assuming wax is the cause.
Can you arrange an MRI IAMS scan if required?
Where clinically appropriate, Nottingham Ear Clinic can help patients access fast MRI internal auditory meatus imaging, with images reviewed by a consultant radiologist and the report reviewed by our doctors.
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