People often ask the common question, what does it mean when the right ear is ringing? There are diverse meanings to why each or any of the human ears ring. Also, there are interpretations that are attached to a situation where particularly the right ear rings.
A very technical name for the situation when the ears, be it right or left, ring is called Tinnitus. Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn’t caused by an external sound, and other people usually can’t hear it. Tinnitus is a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people, and is especially common in older adults.
What Does It Mean When the Right Ear is Ringing
Below are responses to what does it mean when the right ear is ringing. First is the discussion about the causes and things to pay attention or avoid these causative factors:
The Causes
- Ear Infections
Ear infections are a common reason for tinnitus. There are several types of ear infections. But inner ear infections and middle ear infections (otitis media) are more likely to cause ear ringing.
Viruses and bacteria may directly damage the hair cells. Ear infections can also lead to tinnitus by causing a buildup of pressure in the middle of the ear. This irritates the hair cells and causes ear ringing.
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Upper respiratory infections — like the common cold, pharyngitis, and sinusitis — can all cause tinnitus. A bad enough upper respiratory tract infection can increase the pressure inside your ears, leading to hair cell damage. It isn’t common, but it’s possible to develop hearing loss after an upper respiratory tract infection.
- COVID-19 Illness
The CDC does not list tinnitus as a symptom of COVID-19, but studies show that some people develop tinnitus after COVID-19 infection. It’s not clear exactly how COVID-19 infection causes ear ringing since not everyone who gets COVID-19 illness develops an upper respiratory tract infection.
- Loud Noises
Loud noise damages hair cells, leading to tinnitus. Over time, repeated exposure to loud noises can also lead to permanent hearing loss. Tinnitus is a warning sign that the noise around you is too loud. Think of it as your hair cells letting you know they’re in pain. Sound levels over 80 dB put your ears at risk for noise-induced hearing loss.
- Ear Wax
Ear wax buildup can lead to ear ringing, but so can any object that’s stuck in your ear. That’s because a stuck object can start pushing against your eardrum and irritate your hair cells.
- Head and Neck Injuries
Head injuries can change the way the brain processes sound. So some people experience tinnitus after one of these injuries. Head and neck injuries can also damage auditory nerves, which connect the hair cells to the brain. A damaged auditory nerve can lead to ear ringing and other hearing changes.
Read Also: Spiritual Meaning of Left Ear Ringing
- Medications
Ear ringing is a common side effect of several medications. Some medications can damage the auditory nerve, which is why they cause ear ringing. High blood pressure medications and certain antibiotics cause tinnitus — especially in high doses.
If you develop ear ringing, make sure to review your medication list with your healthcare provider to see if any of them could be the cause.
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. People with TMJ disorders often experience tinnitus, especially in one ear. This may be because inflammation at the TMJ also affects the eardrum or auditory nerves.
- Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder. People with Meniere’s disease have a buildup of fluid inside the inner ear. This fluid buildup leads to sudden attacks of dizziness. It also causes ear ringing and hearing loss.
- Air Pressure
Air pressure in the environment, or barometric pressure, changes in different altitudes. So when you go up in a plane, mountain climb, or scuba dive, there’s a change in the barometric pressure around you.
Rapid changes in barometric pressure can lead to medical conditions like “the bends.” These changes can also injure the eardrum and cause ear ringing.
Possible Solutions to Tinnitus
- Waiting
If you currently have an upper respiratory infection, wait for 2 weeks after recovery to see if tinnitus improves on its own.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops for ear wax
If you tend to have wax buildup in your ears, try OTC peroxide-based ear drops to safely break down the wax. Don’t try Q-tips to remove the wax because you might damage your eardrum and worsen the ringing.
- Limiting things that can worsen tinnitus
Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine intake can trigger bouts of ear ringing.
- Acupuncture
Some studies suggest that acupuncture can help reduce the severity of tinnitus.
Few Interpretations to Tinnitus
The words below are examples of meanings of the right ear ringing:
- High Blood Pressure
Sometimes, tinnitus is a sign of high blood pressure, an allergy, or anemia. In rare cases, tinnitus is a sign of a serious problem such as a tumor or aneurysm. Other risk factors for tinnitus include temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), diabetes, thyroid problems, obesity, and head injury.
- Growth and Progress
As your third eye opens and your vibration level rises, the ringing you experience in your ear may be high-pitched. This is a sign you’re experiencing powerful metaphysical growth and that good fortune is headed your way.
- Sensitivity and Psychic Energy
Ringing in the ears is commonly reported by people who are highly sensitive to energies around them. These people are often referred to as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), or are highly empathic and feel other people’s energy.
Consequently, HSPs and empaths require consistent management of their energetic and spiritual health, so they often pursue a lifestyle of spiritual growth and development. They often discover that their sensitivities are a result of psychic abilities, such as clairaudience, clairsentience, or clairvoyance.
