If you hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing, or clicking that no one else can hear, you are experiencing tinnitus. You are far from alone: according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), roughly 10 percent of U.S. adults, or nearly 25 million people, have had tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year.
For most people tinnitus is not a sign of a serious illness, but it can be frustrating, and it can make it hard to sleep, focus, or relax. Here is what causes it and what you can do.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an outside source. It can be soft or loud, high- or low-pitched, constant or on and off, and it can affect one ear or both. It is a symptom rather than a disease, which is why finding the underlying cause matters.
Common Causes of Ringing in the Ears
- Hearing loss: Age-related hearing loss is one of the most common causes. As the inner ear sends less sound to the brain, the brain may “fill in” with its own noise.
- Noise exposure: Loud concerts, power tools, firearms, and loud workplaces can cause temporary or lasting tinnitus.
- Earwax buildup: Something as simple as a blocked ear canal can trigger tinnitus.
- Ear infections and fluid behind the eardrum.
- Medications: Hundreds of medications list tinnitus as a possible side effect. Never stop a prescription on your own; talk with your doctor first.
- Other conditions: Jaw (TMJ) problems, head or neck injuries, high blood pressure, and Ménière’s disease can all play a role.
When Ringing in the Ears Needs Prompt Attention
Contact a medical provider promptly if your tinnitus:
- Comes with a sudden loss of hearing, especially in one ear
- Is in only one ear and does not go away
- Pulses in time with your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus)
- Comes with dizziness, vertigo, ear pain, or drainage
- Follows a head injury
How an Audiologist Evaluates Tinnitus
Because tinnitus and hearing loss so often go together, a thorough hearing evaluation is an important first step. An audiologist will ask about your symptoms and health history, test your hearing across different pitches, and help determine whether hearing loss or another factor may be contributing. If something points to a medical cause, you will be referred to the right physician.
What Actually Helps
There is no single pill that cures tinnitus, but many people find meaningful relief with the right approach:
- Hearing aids: When tinnitus comes with hearing loss, hearing aids can make outside sounds easier to hear and the tinnitus less noticeable. Many modern hearing aids also include built-in sound therapy features.
- Sound therapy: Gentle background sound, from a fan, a sound machine, or an app, can make tinnitus less intrusive, especially at night.
- Counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): These approaches help reduce the stress and frustration tinnitus can cause.
- Protecting your ears: Limiting loud noise and wearing ear protection can keep tinnitus from getting worse.
- Healthy habits: Good sleep, stress management, and limiting caffeine and alcohol help some people.
Don’t Just Live With It
If ringing in your ears is affecting your sleep, your focus, or your mood, it is worth getting checked. Understanding what is behind your tinnitus is the first step toward feeling better. Learn more about our audiologist in Boca Raton or book a free hearing test.
Talk With a Local Hearing Expert
Bothered by ringing in your ears? Renowned Hearing Centers offers free hearing tests and consultations in Boca Raton and throughout Palm Beach County, in our office or at your home. Our team includes experienced hearing aid specialists and audiologist Dr. Shelley W. Minsky, Au.D.
Call (561) 288-5360 or schedule your appointment online.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical, legal, or insurance advice. Talk with your healthcare provider or plan about your specific situation.
