Ringing In The Ears (Tinnitus): Check Your Symptoms
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When to See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:Have you had an injury to your ear?
See significance of an ear injury if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
| Note: | Head injuries that cause hearing loss or ongoing tinnitus are more serious than localized ear injuries with similar symptoms. If your symptoms are the result of a head injury, go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older. |
-
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Do you have drainage or bleeding from the ear?
Are you having trouble hearing or understanding sounds?
Do you have vertigo?
Do you have a severe earache?
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You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
- Yes
Have you had tinnitus that is slowly getting worse for longer than 24 hours after an injury to the ear, but you do not have other symptoms?
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You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
- Yes
Have you had tinnitus for longer than 2 weeks that has not gotten better?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Last updated: | February 13, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | , Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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