Why do I get ringing in one ear?

Tinnitus - hearing a sound with no outside source, per the NHS - can sit in one ear, both ears, or nowhere locatable at all. The one-ear version is common and usually traceable to something local: MedlinePlus notes tinnitus can accompany almost any ear problem, including earwax, ear infections, and hearing loss. A plug of wax muffling one ear, a recent loud gig or headphones session, a flight's pressure change, or a cold blocking the eustachian tube can all leave one ear ringing for days. Age and noise-related hearing changes often announce themselves asymmetrically too. Most one-sided ringing fades or stabilises, and the self-help is real: protect the ear from further loud noise, ease off headphone volume, and do not chase silence - low background sound (a fan, quiet radio) at night makes tinnitus far less noticeable. Book a GP appointment for any one-sided tinnitus that persists beyond a couple of weeks, precisely because it is one-sided: the GP will look for wax, check the eardrum, and test your hearing, and persistent unilateral tinnitus is one of the patterns guidelines say deserves a look at the inner ear and hearing nerve. The NHS draws the urgent lines clearly: tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, facial weakness, or a spinning sensation means the ER - sudden hearing loss treated early recovers far better, so do not wait that one out. Also get prompt advice if the ringing pulses in time with your heartbeat. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you judge the urgency.