Find out what that annoying ringing in your ear is trying to tell you

Do you keep hearing a random ringing noise in your ear? While there’s no scientific evidence to back it up, many people believe ear ringing is a message from the Universe. Whether it’s a hissing sound in your right ear or a buzzing noise in your left, according to legend, it could hold significant meaning. We'll walk you through potential reasons for the ringing, (plus, how the time of day might help you crack the code, too). Read on for more.

Things You Should Know

  • Many people believe low pitched ringing in the ear means someone is gossiping about you.
  • Depending on the time of day, ear ringing may have different meanings.
  • Your ear may ring due to underlying medical conditions like tinnitus, hearing loss, or high blood pressure.
Section 1 of 5:

Is someone thinking about you when your ears ring?

  1. Ear ringing usually signals someone is talking about you. Technically, ear ringing means you’re in someone’s thoughts, but the other person is likely expressing their opinion about you to someone else. Their words can be positive or negative, but one thing's for sure: according to legend, you're on someone's mind.[1]
    • Most people interpret ear ringing as someone gossiping negatively about them. According to urban legend, you can silence the speaker by wetting your finger with saliva and pressing it against your ear lobe.[2]
    • There are also tons of medical reasons that your ears could be ringing: tinnitus, hearing loss, or high blood pressure. We'll cover those at the end of the article.
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Section 2 of 5:

Ear Ringing Omens

  1. 1
    You may experience a spiritual awakening soon. If you hear ringing in either ear, it’s often a sign that you’re entering spiritual ascension. You’ve reached a higher frequency, bringing you closer to the divine, and you may have found your purpose in life.[3]
    • Many people experience ringing in the ear during a Kundalini awakening. As your chakras open, you’re releasing negative energy and absorbing more powerful frequencies.[4]
  2. 2
    You can expect good fortune. If you experience a high pitched ringing in the right ear, it might be a sign of prosperity in the near future. The Universe is rewarding you for all the hardships you endured the last few months, so prepare to celebrate yourself.[5]
    • Even if you receive a considerable amount of money, continue to be frugal and live within your means.
  3. 3
    Someone who passed might be trying to speak to you. Have you lost a loved one recently? Ringing in the ear sometimes represents communication between the soul and higher spiritual beings, so it may be a sign that they’re trying to connect with you and let you know they’re okay.[6]
    • If you’re in mourning, take comfort in knowing your loved one is still with you in spirit, and acknowledge your emotions. Everyone grieves differently, and each experience is perfectly valid.
  4. 4
    Your guardian angels might be trying to warn you. Low pitched ringing in the left ear could be a message to follow your intuition, especially if you’re making a difficult decision. Your guardian angels are here to protect you, so try to remain calm. Nervous or bad energy may be their way of preventing you from making a harmful decision.[7]
    • If you’re stuck making a decision, reflect on your choices and consider the pros and cons of each option. Visualize that you’ve already made the decision to determine if it’s worth it.
  5. 5
    The Universe might be encouraging you to cut off toxic relationships. Many people interpret ear ringing as a wake-up call from the Universe: observe how others make you feel, and pay attention to their behavior. Are they judgemental, unsupportive, or confusing? Do you feel like you’re walking on eggshells around them? If so, you’re likely in a toxic relationship, so cut ties to restore your peace of mind.[8]
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Section 3 of 5:

Ear Ringing Superstitions by Time of Day

  1. 1
    11PM-1AM If you hear ringing in your left ear around the stroke of midnight, it might be a sign that a loved one is thinking about you.[9]
    • If you hear ringing in the right ear, you may want to assess your spending habits–it's a sign that you will lose money in the future.
  2. 2
    1AM-3AM Ringing in the left ear sometimes predicts an argument or physical brawl. If you end up engaging in conflict, be sure to gain control of your emotions before acting rashly.[10]
    • If you hear ringing in the right ear, the angels might be warning you of a more serious dispute.
  3. 3
    3AM-5AM If your ear is ringing on the left side, you might lose some money, so adjust your lifestyle habits now to avoid financial hardship in the future.[11]
    • Many people believe ear ringing is a sign of a busy schedule–prepare to be rushed off your feet.
  4. 4
    5AM-7AM Ringing in the left ear might be a sign that you will enjoy an extravagant feast.[12]
    • If you hear ringing in the right ear, prepare yourself for an unexpected visit from a friend.
  5. 5
    7AM-9AM If your left ear rings during the morning, it might mean you’re about to embark on a journey. Whether it's a spiritual awakening or an actual road trip, prepare your mind for an exciting change and clear your schedule if possible.[13]
    • If your right ear rings, it usually signals a friend is headed your way.
  6. 6
    9AM-11AM If you hear ringing in the left ear, prepare yourself for a negative event. This could happen in your profession or personal life, but learn to handle negative situations and interpret them as a learning lesson.[14]
    • If there’s ringing in the right ear, you can expect good fortune.
  7. 7
    11AM-1PM Ringing in the left ear sometimes predicts you will receive a letter from a long-distance friend, partner, or family member.[15]
    • Ringing in the right ear could mean a relative is about to visit you.
  8. 8
    1PM-3PM If you hear ringing in the left ear, it usually indicates you will have an incredible party. Whether you’re the host or just a guest, mingle with everyone to have a fun time.[16]
    • If you hear ringing in the right ear, it predicts a long-distance friend will visit you soon.
  9. 9
    3PM-5PM Ringing in the left ear sometimes signals you are about to embark on a journey. If you choose go on a spiritual journey, be sure to write down all of your emotions.[17]
    • If you hear ringing in the right ear, you can anticipate good luck.
  10. 10
    5PM-7PM If you hear ringing in the left ear, you might lose money soon. Be sure to make small adjustments in your spending habits and spend strategically.[18]
    • Right ear ringing usually means you can expect good luck and fortune.
  11. 11
    7PM-9PM If your left ear is ringing, prepare yourself for a delicious feast.[19]
    • If your right ear is ringing, you can expect a visit from a friend.
  12. 12
    9PM-11PM If your left ear is ringing, it might be a positive sign of luck.[20]
    • Many people believe right ear ringing predicts you will indulge in a feast.
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Section 4 of 5:

Common Signs That Someone is Thinking About You

  1. 1
    Repeated sneezes In many Asian cultures, random sneezing is a sign someone is thinking about you or they’re missing you. Generally, one sneeze means someone is thinking positively of you, while two sneezes means someone has negative thoughts about you.[21]
    • In Polish culture, many people believe sneezing is a sign their mother-in-law is talking about them. If a couple isn’t married, it usually means they will have a terrible relationship with their in-laws.[22]
  2. 2
    Burning ears The Irish believe a burning sensation in the ear signals someone is talking behind your back: if it’s the left ear, they’re saying nice things, but if it’s the right, they’re being spiteful.[23]
    • Not sure who’s running their mouth? Pay close attention to their reaction when you walk into the room–read their body language and see if they start to behave differently around you.
  3. 3
    Random hiccups In India, an unexplainable hiccup attack is a sign that someone is thinking about you negatively. It’s often described as an extension of the evil eye, which attributes bad luck to an evil glance or thought from a jealous person.[24]
    • To cure the evil eye, hang a six-sided mirror in a front window or the front door to reflect back bad energy, or contact a healer to perform a curing ritual.
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Section 5 of 5:

Medical Reasons

  1. 1
    Tinnitus Tinnitus is usually described as ringing in the ear, and it’s a symptom of an underlying health condition, which can be caused by earwax blockages, exposure to loud noises, and blood vessel issues.[25]
    • If you suspect you have tinnitus, see your primary care doctor to determine the best solution for you.
    • To cope with tinnitus, listen to white noise or mask the ringing with a sound generator.
    • If you have tinnitus, you may hear a variety of sounds: buzzing, clicking, hissing, ringing, roaring, and/or rushing. And, it can be low pitched, high pitched, soft or loud.[26]
  2. 2
    Hearing loss There are tiny hairs in the inner ear that allow the brain to detect sound (cochlea hairs). When exposed to loud noises, these hair cells become permanently damaged, causing hearing loss.[27]
    • Some people have described hearing the “death” of the hair cell. It can occur with one loud sound exposure or repetitive exposures to the same frequency.[28]
    • Tinnitus can occur as a result of hearing loss, but it doesn’t cause hearing loss itself.[29]
  3. 3
    High blood pressure High blood pressure, or hypertension, can affect the pressure of blood vessels in the ear, causing tinnitus (or making it worse).[30]
    • If you hear a beating, pulsing, or pumping sound in the ear, it may be related to high blood pressure.[31]
    • To treat tinnitus due to high blood pressure, physicians often recommend lifestyle changes like regular cardiovascular exercise, or they prescribe medication.
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  12. https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/424/secretadmirers
  13. https://www.ceenta.com/news-blog/6-myths-superstitions-and-more-about-sneezing
  14. https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3461778.3462118
  15. https://journeys.dartmouth.edu/folklorearchive/2018/11/14/indian-superstition-hiccups/
  16. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus
  17. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156
  18. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/how_does_loud_noise_cause_hearing_loss.html
  19. https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/37468/is-the-ringing-sound-in-the-ears-caused-by-dying-ear-cells
  20. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-severe-tinnitus-can-interfere-with-hearing-but-doesnt-cause-hearing-loss
  21. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156
  22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5050200

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Updated: February 28, 2023
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Categories: Superstitions

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