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What Causes A Metal Type Tapping In The Ears?
Question: I just start having a metal type tapping in my ear. It doesn't really sound like it's coming from within the ear but there is no other place it could be coming from. It sounds like someone is tapping a tin can with a fork. Any ideas?
Brief Answer:
may be tinnitus
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is possible that it may be tinnitus.
Tinnitus is defined as the perception of noise in the ear or hearing a noise when there is no external cause (nothing in the environment making the noise)
An ENT specialist would be able to examine you and determine if this is the case.
There are different possible causes such as : (1) age related hearing loss
(2) side effect of medication such as lasix, aspirin and the NSAIDS (ibuprofen, cataflam, naproxen etc)
(3)meniere's disease- a condition associated with vertigo and hearing loss
(4)trauma to the ear
(5)infection of the ear
(6)presence of a mass such as the benign (non cancerous tumor vestibular schwannoma)
(7)multiple sclerosis
(8)some type of migraines
(9)idiopathic- cause is not known
(10)impacted ear wax
The doctor would take a history to determine if any of the above is present. This should be followed by examination of the ear
If there is an obvious infection or impacted wax then this can be treated to see if improvement occurs
Depending on the findings, hearing tests or imaging may be needed
treatment would depend on the cause found. IN some cases it is not reversible unfortunately
i hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
may be tinnitus
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is possible that it may be tinnitus.
Tinnitus is defined as the perception of noise in the ear or hearing a noise when there is no external cause (nothing in the environment making the noise)
An ENT specialist would be able to examine you and determine if this is the case.
There are different possible causes such as : (1) age related hearing loss
(2) side effect of medication such as lasix, aspirin and the NSAIDS (ibuprofen, cataflam, naproxen etc)
(3)meniere's disease- a condition associated with vertigo and hearing loss
(4)trauma to the ear
(5)infection of the ear
(6)presence of a mass such as the benign (non cancerous tumor vestibular schwannoma)
(7)multiple sclerosis
(8)some type of migraines
(9)idiopathic- cause is not known
(10)impacted ear wax
The doctor would take a history to determine if any of the above is present. This should be followed by examination of the ear
If there is an obvious infection or impacted wax then this can be treated to see if improvement occurs
Depending on the findings, hearing tests or imaging may be needed
treatment would depend on the cause found. IN some cases it is not reversible unfortunately
i hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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