Q: During the past several months, I’ve developed some ringing in my ears. I only hear it when it’s very quiet though. Is this something I need to be concerned about?

A: Ringing in the ears is relatively common, but not exactly “normal.” I personally hear a ring in one ear and crickets in the other when it’s very quiet. In many cases (including mine), it’s not something to be concerned about. But sometimes, ringing in the ears can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition – such as inner ear damage, a neurological disorder, or a cranial tumor. My philosophy is that anytime your body starts doing something it hasn’t done in the past, you should get it checked out. An audiologist will thoroughly evaluate your hearing, and if any warning signs of a medical condition pop up, we’ll refer you to the appropriate specialist. And if the ringing turns out to be just annoying (but not dangerous), we’ll be happy to discuss management and treatment options with you.

Answered by Dr. Matt Perry, Au.D. – audiologist and owner of Harmony Hearing & Audiology, located in Festival at Bel Air, 5 Bel Air S Pkwy, Ste. 1411, Bel Air, MD 21015 – (410)569-5999