The exact mechanism causing tinnitus is unknown. However, potential causes may be the result of an outer, middle, or inner ear disorder. Examples include: excessive ear wax, foreign objects in the outer ear, middle ear infections, sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss, Meniere's disease or acoustic tumor. Other causes relate to noise exposure, head trauma, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, high doses of certain medications or temporomandibular (TMJ) misalignments to name just a few.