Tinnitus is the medical term for perceiving sound—such as ringing, buzzing, or roaring—when no external sound is present. It is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying issue within the auditory pathway. A temporary illness can definitively cause tinnitus by affecting the delicate balance of pressure and fluid within the ear structures.
Physiological Mechanisms Linking Sickness and Tinnitus
Sickness primarily triggers temporary tinnitus through widespread inflammation and swelling, a systemic response to infection. This inflammation can travel to the inner and middle ear structures. When tissues around the inner ear’s labyrinth become inflamed, labyrinthitis can develop, directly disrupting signals sent from the cochlea to the brain.
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. Illnesses like a cold or flu cause the mucous membranes lining this tube to swell, preventing proper opening and closing. This malfunction, known as Eustachian tube dysfunction, traps air in the middle ear cavity, creating a vacuum effect as the body absorbs the air.
The resulting negative pressure pulls on the eardrum and can lead to fluid accumulation, causing a sensation of fullness or muffled hearing. This pressure imbalance affects the middle ear bones and the inner ear’s fluid balance, generating the sound perceived as tinnitus. Increased blood flow and turbulent circulation accompanying a fever or severe congestion can also be perceived as a rhythmic pulsing sound, known as pulsatile tinnitus.
Common Illnesses That Trigger Temporary Tinnitus
Upper respiratory infections (URIs), such as the common cold, influenza, and sinusitis, are the most frequent causes of temporary, illness-related tinnitus. These infections generate substantial congestion and mucus production. This congestion migrates to the Eustachian tubes, leading to the pressure and ventilation issues that trigger the auditory symptom.
Ear infections, including otitis media (middle ear infection) and otitis externa (swimmer’s ear), are a more direct cause since the infection is localized near the auditory system. Otitis media causes fluid and pus to build up behind the eardrum, increasing pressure and interfering with sound transmission. If the infection spreads to the inner ear, it can cause labyrinthitis, impacting hearing and balance functions.
Certain viral infections, beyond the common cold and flu, can trigger temporary auditory symptoms. Viruses causing herpes simplex or Epstein-Barr can lead to inflammation of the inner ear nerves, resulting in sudden-onset tinnitus and sometimes hearing loss. These viral causes represent a direct assault on the auditory nerve structures, though they are less common than pressure-related issues from URIs.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Tinnitus
Tinnitus linked to congestion from a cold or flu is typically temporary and should resolve within days or a few weeks as the underlying illness clears. If the sound persists for longer than one week after all other symptoms have disappeared, a consultation with a healthcare provider is warranted. This persistence suggests the underlying issue, such as fluid in the middle ear or inflammation, has not fully resolved.
Specific warning signs, or “red flags,” require immediate medical attention, even during an acute illness. Tinnitus that is sudden in onset and affects only one ear (unilateral) should be evaluated promptly, as this can indicate a serious condition like sudden sensorineural hearing loss. If the tinnitus is accompanied by severe vertigo, facial muscle weakness, or a noticeable drop in hearing, medical intervention is necessary.
Pulsatile tinnitus—a sound that beats rhythmically in sync with your pulse—requires a timely evaluation to rule out vascular causes. Management of illness-related tinnitus focuses on treating the root cause, often involving decongestants, nasal saline rinses, or antibiotics for bacterial infections. A doctor may refer a patient to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation to determine the extent of any associated hearing loss.