I read sometime ago about "ringing in the ears" being an early sign of dementia. Is there any truth to this?

I have MS and I've had ringing in my ear my whole life since being a child I thought it was normal and someone mentioned I'm gonna have Alzheimer is there any truth to this ??? I'm 54 .

Jessie, we just got a new sound bar that seems to help a bit. There is relatively new technology that emphasizes the diaglogue. But, now the volume number that it has to be on just the tv became a psychological need. They had volume on just tv to 25, and I thought that was bad. Now with the sound bar, they still have to have it on 25! Though I will say it stays quieter in the kitchen. TV speakers on flat tv's are on the back. So, the sound is first being absorbed by whatever is behind it, in our case a wall, before it is projected into the room.

gladimhere, I hear you... barely. I'm going deaf from the TV set at 70. I feel like it is yelling at me and it really makes me edgy.

I have had ringing ears for many years. I always thought is was from ear infections I had as a child. And ruptured eardrums. Last rupture was probably 20 years ago. Have had my hearing checked and it is normal. Sometimes I think my hearing is better than most people. Course I live with two old folks that are terribly hard of hearing and the volume on the tv is what is going to cause me to go deaf. I would lol, but it really isn't funny, really drives me nuts!

I hope not. I have had ringing in the ears for years and I seem somewhat sane.

I heard that ringing in the ears was a sign of hearing loss. Maybe it is the final scream of auditory neurons facing their demise.

I've had ringing in my left ear for 40 years now -- constantly. Also lost hearing in that ear. My dad had this also. My ENT named it Meniere's syndrome. Early on, I was tested for a tumor on that nerve, and they discovered the nerve had died. They couldn't do anything for me then, so I went back to the ENT a couple years ago. He said they still couldn't do anything. I just don't pay attention to it. Actually, when I tune in to it, it's rather calming -- helps me clear my mind. I have no signs of dementia at 78.

It's an early sign that you need to see an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) specialist. There are lots of causes and some are fixable. Ear wax can be removed. On the other hand if it is accompanied by high blood pressure, see the cardiologist.

If it's true I am in the later stages

My husband's nose runs and he has ringing in the ears. He was just diagnosed with dementia.

My dad had severe tinnitus since WWII when he worked on the flight line with no hearing protection. His cognitive function was great until he died at 92. I now have ringing and am not sure what it's from. But I don't plan to get dementia. :)

I too hope not. mine have rung for some time and is a constant hissing. Don't notice it if I am otherwise occupied but it can be annoying.
Capt I never could spell so nothing has changed there.

That could just be age related tinnitus - which could potentially happen to anyone. Mum had it for over 8 years now and she doesn't have dementia. Hope that helps :)

OMG, I've had ringing in my ears for 50 years, wish there was a dial where I could change the song :P

I am starting to lose it too, but I think it is from all the stress of dealing with my parents, not with the buzzing in my ears.

i have two different tones of tinnitis going on so i too hope not . i think when dementia is more thourely understood it will boil down to diseased organs not supporting the brain with the o2 and nutrients it requires to thrive .
according to spell check im already losing it . that being the case i dont need constantly reminded of it so ill try to knock spell check in the head this evening .

Ringing in the ears can be a result of Meniere's disease, which causes vertigo and either low or high frequency ringing in the ears. I have it. It comes and goes but the one thing that they must check for (not to scare you) is a tumor behind the ear. They gave me an MRI to rule this out. Luckily, it was ruled out. Most of the time, when it is a tumor that prevents the fluids from draining, it's usually benign. I would go to the ENT and get it checked. They give you hearing tests and determine whether or not it is in fact, Meniere's disease. I hope that helps. I deal with it and it comes at any age.

Then again, it may be declining in hearing due to age. Check with the ENT. Best bet.

Good luck.

lol...I've had ringing ears for 20 years. It is from nerve damage hearing loss. So far the brain doesn't seem affected.

A number of years ago a chiropractor adjusted my jaw and fluid drained down my throat and my ear stopped ringing. Later, I had begun to clench my jaw teeth and the ringing began again. Too bad the chiropractor is no longer local. Anyway, the ringing was only continual lately and it is loud, high pitched, like a field of grass hoppers singing. As far as the dementia, I read from one study that only 19 individuals out of 9,985 with dementia were affected with ringing in ears. So I'll take that study to make me optimistic regarding the ringing in my ears. from Social Savvy

I hope not! Mine ring all the time.
My mom has had ringing ears for decades and she is 77 with no dementia.

Aspirin, and too much caffeine causes my ears to ring.

My dad had a chronic running nose for 2 years before his dementia started to show. Anyone else have that?

I forgot to mention that his grandma on his mom's side had it and his mom has it, so I'll be looking out for that.

I have noticed his demeanor change within the last 2 years, but he was laid off from a company in fall, 2008 and soon found work--but that only lasted about 6 months and then he was out of work for another 8 1/2-9 months. He's fearful that the same thing is going to happen with the job he just got. I guess it comes from being laid off due to economic times.

That's a really good question. I wish I had an answer for it. I can just tell you that my husband has experienced "ringing in the ears" within the last year and we just discovered that his maternal side of the family is prone to forms of dementia.