Ear infection, also known as otitis is one of the causes for tinnitus. Either middle ear infection (otitis media) or outer ear infection (otitis externa) can lead to tinnitus and hearing loss, as numerous reports confirm. The condition leads to unilateral tinnitus (the ringing/buzzing noise is heard in one ear only), usually reversible with the treatment of the disorder.

Otitis externa can present tinitus as symptom if residue material is pushing against the tympanic membrane. This is not an often encountered complication. Otitis media can also lead in certain cases to conductive hearing loss and tinnitus. For both conditions, antibiotic treatments is usually prescribed by a health specialist; tinnitus disappears unless permanent ear damage occurred.