A: Ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus, is experienced by almost everyone from time to time, says Barbara McLay, audiologist and clinical associate professor of communication science and disorders at the University of Missouri at Columbia.

"But when it lasts for long periods of time, or never seems to go away, it is a symptom of a problem," McLay says.

Tinnitus can be a side effect of some medications, including over-the-counter medicines containing acetylsalicylic acid, such as aspirin. If your friend suspects the tinnitus is linked to a specific medication, he or she should consult her doctor.

In most cases, drug-induced tinnitus goes away with a change in medication. But there are many other causes of tinnitus, some rather benign and others more serious, says McLay. She suggests a medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause.

Unfortunately, the exact cause cannot always be determined, which means tinnitus can't always be treated.

A couple of good resources for more info on the subject are the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/tinnitus_manage.htm) and the American Tinnitus Association (www.ata.org/about_tinnitus).

By Amy Bertrand
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