Why Is My Left Ear Ringin

Left ear ringing can occur alone or as a symptom of other health problems. While it is often described as ringing, it can also be a roaring, buzzing, hissing, whistling, or other sounds.
Left ear ringing can occur for the same reasons that right ear ringing or ringing in both ears occurs. Factors can involve structural changes, hearing loss, and blockages. Certain health problems and drugs can also cause changes that trigger left ear ringing, or a cause cannot be determined.1

This article explains left ear ringing, its causes, and symptoms. It also discusses treatments and when to contact a healthcare provider.
Causes of Left Ear (Unilateral) Ringing
While the exact cause of left ear ringing is not fully understood, it is linked to the following conditions:
Tinnitus
occurs when abnormal pressure develops in your inner ear or middle ear as a result of physical changes, other medical conditions, or external factors like certain drugs. Tinnitus causes the perception of sounds in one or both ears without an external source. The exact sound and quality of sound can vary by individual. It can be an acute or chronic problem.2

Allergies
Left ear ringing can occur due to congestion caused by allergies or other conditions like a sinus infection or middle ear infection. When your nasal cavity fills with mucus, it can block or swell your Eustachian
tubes, change the air pressure, and interfere with the normal function of the ear canal. Ear ringing can occur when your ears can’t drain and achieve equilibrium due to congestion.1

Medications
Left ear ringing can be a side effect of taking certain drugs categorized as ototoxic medicines. They are more likely to cause problems when taken at high doses. The following medications are linked with ear ringing:34
• Aspirin
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Loop diuretics that treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure
• Certain antibiotics
• Anticancer drugs
• Antidepressants
• Antimalarial drugs

Hearing Loss
Ear ringing can occur as an early sign of age-related hearing loss (presbycusis). This type of hearing loss develops from a combination of factors that include changes in the structure of your ear, medical conditions, exposure to loud noises, and genetics.5
Noise Exposure
Ringing in your ears is an early sign of noise-induced hearing loss. Loud noise can cause irreversible damage to the cells and membranes inside your inner ear that help you hear. This can occur after you’ve had a single experience or prolonged exposure to noises at 85 decibels or more. These sounds can include loud machinery, concerts, or firecrackers.3

Earwax
Excess or impacted earwax can change the natural traits of your ear canal and interfere with the parts of your brain that process sound. In addition, impacted earwax can create pressure in your ear canal to stimulate your nerves so that your brain interprets the sensation as internal sounds.6
Certain Health Conditions
Ringing in your ear can be a symptom of a wide range of health conditions that can damage your ear’s auditory system and/or inner structure.

These conditions include:3
• Head or neck injuries can damage structures
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Meniere’s disease
• Vestibular schwannoma (tumor on the acoustic nerve) and other tumors
• Diabetes
• Migraines
• Thyroid disorders
• Anemia
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis