Ear injuries that may cause ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and other symptoms can have many causes.

• A fall or a forceful, direct blow to the side of the head can burst the eardrum or damage the tiny bones in the middle ear that send sound or directly damage the nerves in the inner ear.
• Loud noises can damage the eardrum (acoustic trauma).
• Atmospheric pressure changes (barotrauma) can cause problems with the eustachian tube and trap air in or keep air out of the middle ear. Middle ear problems can be severe (for example, the middle ear fills with blood or pus) or mild and only be felt as changes in pressure. If a pressure difference lasts for a long time, fluid may build up in the middle ear (otitis media with effusion).
• Cuts or scrapes may injure the outer ear or ear canal.
• Cleaning the ear canal too often, too forcefully, or with a cotton swab or bobby pin can cause irritation or injury.
• Burns can cause injury (thermal injury) to the outer ear or the ear canal.
• Objects placed in the ear can cause injury.