Ringing in the ears:Medically calledtinnitus, can be due to many causes including ear infections, fluid in the ears, Meniere syndrome (the combination of tinnitus anddeafness), some medications such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),aging, and eartrauma(such as from the noise of planes, firearms, or loud music). In rare situations, tinnitus may also be due to ananeurysmor anacousticneuroma (abenigntumor on the acoustic nerve). Woodwind players are more likely to experience tinnitus than other orchestral players, probably because they usually sit just in front of the brass. If tinnitus persists or its cause is unknown, a hearing test (audiogram) should be done. Measures can be taken to lessen the intensity of tinnitus or to mask it.
