This is a common problem, which affects up to 20 percent of the population.  It is usually related to hearing loss.  The hearing loss may be secondary to noise trauma or noise exposure or the aging process.  Evaluation of ringing or tinnitus in the ear is usually by audiometry to evaluate the hearing mechanism and inner ear. 

Occasional ringing in the ears is associated with dizziness and is common with a disease called Meniere’s disease. 

Ringing in the ear requires further evaluation by a physician, as there are occasional tumors in the ear, which can cause this, and any continuous ringing in the ear should be evaluated by a physician.