What are the causes of ear ringing?

Local nerve damage: Tinnitus is ringing in the ears caused by damage to the hearing nerve. It can come from a one-time event (rock concert) or multiple events over time. It is typically heard at the frequency of the damage. It is essentially the brain thinking it heard a sound at that frequency when there is no sound. The brain hears it because of the damage and does not always resolve completely.

Many causes: Maintaining tinnitus is often the best that some treatments provide. Determining the cause of tinnitus is difficult. Start with a very thorough history and exam with your doctor. Keeping a home diary of the ringing events, or what may increase it or decrease would be valuable- write down your what you are eating, pain if any, what ear/ears, lying down or upright. The supplement ginkgo may help.