Dizziness and ringing in the ears that interfere with your daily activities are also known by the medical terms vertigo and tinnitus. These symptoms can make it hard to work, relax, and even sleep. Pain and pressure in your head or sinuses can have the same effects.
These symptoms can sometimes be signs of minor issues, such as sinus infections or headaches. But when these symptoms are severe or won’t go away, they may need immediate medical attention.
Read on to learn 12 possible causes of ringing in your ears, dizziness, and pressure in your head, and what you can do about them.
When to get help
Get immediate help for the following signs, as they may indicate a medical emergency:
feeling faint or losing consciousness
chest pain
shortness of breath
sudden change in vision or hearing
bloody nose
dizziness that worsens over time or persists for several hours
headache that lasts for more than a day and doesn’t respond to over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
tingling or numbness in your limbs, especially on only one side
weakness in one side of your face or body
slurred speech
loss of vision in one eye
unable to stand or walk
1. Sinusitis
Inflammation of your sinuses caused by infection is commonly known as sinusitis.
Short-lived sinusitis cases are often caused by viral infections, like the common cold.
Chronic sinusitis may be the result of a bacterial infection.
The main symptoms of sinusitis are:
sinus pressure
thick, colored drainage from your nose
congestion
cough
fatigue
2. Headache
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that headache is the most common form of pain. Doctors have identified more than 150 types of headache disorders.
Common headache triggers include:
poor posture
dehydration
stress
weather or changes in air pressure
drinking alcohol
bright or strong lights
The type of pain you’re experiencing can often tell you what type of headache you have. For example, feeling like a tight band is stretched around your head might mean you have a tension headache. Tension headaches are often caused by stress, poor posture, or muscle tightness.
3. Tinnitus
Described by many as a “ringing in the ears,” tinnitus is often caused by damage to the middle or inner ear. Certain headache disorders can also cause a ringing in the ears.
Tinnitus can seem worse at night when you’re trying to sleep.
Migraine isn't "just a headache."
Bezzy Migraine is a space for people managing all aspects of life with a chronic condition. From discussion forums and live chats to informative articles and real-life stories, your community connects here.
4. Vertigo
Vertigo is a sense of dizziness that can feel like you or your surroundings are spinning.
Vertigo is more of a symptom than its own condition. But an inner ear disorder called benign positional vertigo (BPV) can bring on dizziness, nausea, and related symptoms.
5. Vestibular migraine
Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that doesn’t necessarily cause a headache but can cause symptoms such as vertigo and lightheadedness.
You won’t always know what causes vestibular migraine, but you can learn some of its common triggers. These include:
stress
fatigue
certain foods and beverages, like chocolate, red wine, and coffee
6. Meniere’s disease
Another condition that causes both vertigo and tinnitus is Meniere’s disease. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source, this condition affects more than half a million people in the United States. Meniere’s disease is the result of fluid changes in the inner ear.
7. Grave’s disease
Your symptoms might also be caused by Grave’s disease, an autoimmune disease that affects your thyroid gland. Grave’s disease can trigger feelings of pressure behind your eyes.
8. Concussion
You can get a concussion after a blow to the head, or after whiplash, an injury that causes your head to move back and forth unusually fast. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that requires medical attention.
9. Acoustic neuroma
The thought of a tumor can be frightening, but not all tumors are cancerous.
For example, an acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor in the brain. While usually harmless, an acoustic neuroma can grow and put pressure on important nerves.
10. Ischemic stroke
An ischemic stroke happens when a blood vessel supplying blood to brain tissue is blocked or the arteries supplying blood narrow significantly.
An ischemic stroke is a medical emergency. Seek treatment right away if you believe you’re having the symptoms of this kind of stroke, such as:
blindness in one eye
double vision
feeling weak or paralyzed in one or more of your arms and legs
dizziness
vertigo
feeling confused
losing coordination
face drooping on one side
11. Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a weakness in the wall of a blood vessel. When an aneurysm bursts, the result is a hemorrhagic stroke.
An aneurysm is sometimes the result of high blood pressure. An aneurysm is much more dangerous than an ischemic stroke.
This condition must be treated as a medical emergency.
12. Brain cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, the chance for a person of developing a malignant brain tumor in their lifetime is less than 1 percent. In other words, it’s a pretty rare occurrence.
That said, regular brain scans are critical to detect brain tumors early on. This is especially true if you have a family history of brain cancer or are undergoing treatment for a cancer that may have spread to your brain.
Talk with a doctor if you have any concerns.
The takeaway
Pay close attention to the signals your body sends you, especially when you’re feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or feeling pain or pressure in your head.
These symptoms are often signals of conditions that could affect your brain function. Discuss them with a doctor if they happen often or continuously throughout the day or week.
If you can’t see a primary care physician, go to the emergency room or an urgent care center for severe symptoms or symptoms that won’t go away.