Unfortunately, many people who’ve lost some of their hearing ability deal with tinnitus. In fact, research shows that 10 to 15% of people with hearing loss experience it.3 Inside the ears, tiny hair-like cells help send sound signals to the brain. When these cells get damaged, which can occur from things like aging and loud-noise exposure, they can’t work properly, so the brain tries to fill in the gaps by creating sounds that aren’t really there. Hearing loss from loud noise exposure can affect people both short-term and long-term. Noisy places like concerts, construction sites, or even shooting ranges can damage your hearing and lead to tinnitus. Sometimes, just one really loud sound — like a firecracker going off near you or music blasting at a concert — can cause lasting damage. Protecting your ears with earplugs or avoiding nosier environments can help prevent this from happening.

Some medicines4 can help with certain health problems, but they can also be harmful to your ears and cause ringing or buzzing sounds (tinnitus). This happens because some medications are "ototoxic," meaning they can be toxic to the ear. Ototoxicity affects important parts of the ear, like the cochlea (which helps with hearing), the auditory nerve (which carries sound signals to the brain), and sometimes the vestibular system (which helps with balance). Ototoxic drugs include certain antibiotics (like aminoglycosides), chemotherapy agents (such as cisplatin), high doses of aspirin, water pills (diuretics), antimalarial drugs, and some antidepressants and are known to cause tinnitus or make it worse.

Unfortunately, many people who’ve lost some of their hearing ability deal with tinnitus. In fact, research shows that 10 to 15% of people with hearing loss experience it.3 Inside the ears, tiny hair-like cells help send sound signals to the brain. When these cells get damaged, which can occur from things like aging and loud-noise exposure, they can’t work properly, so the brain tries to fill in the gaps by creating sounds that aren’t really there. Hearing loss from loud noise exposure can affect people both short-term and long-term. Noisy places like concerts, construction sites, or even shooting ranges can damage your hearing and lead to tinnitus. Sometimes, just one really loud sound — like a firecracker going off near you or music blasting at a concert — can cause lasting damage. Protecting your ears with earplugs or avoiding nosier environments can help prevent this from happening.

Some medicines4 can help with certain health problems, but they can also be harmful to your ears and cause ringing or buzzing sounds (tinnitus). This happens because some medications are "ototoxic," meaning they can be toxic to the ear. Ototoxicity affects important parts of the ear, like the cochlea (which helps with hearing), the auditory nerve (which carries sound signals to the brain), and sometimes the vestibular system (which helps with balance). Ototoxic drugs include certain antibiotics (like aminoglycosides), chemotherapy agents (such as cisplatin), high doses of aspirin, water pills (diuretics), antimalarial drugs, and some antidepressants and are known to cause tinnitus or make it worse.

Tinnitus Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Manage It

Q: Is there a cure for tinnitus?

Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus, only ways to alleviate symptoms.

Q: Can my audiologist test me for tinnitus?

Yes, an audiologist can test for tinnitus, hearing loss and other conditions related to your ears.

Q: Are there hearing aids that help with tinnitus?

Some hearing aids today come equipped with tinnitus masking features. Using hearing hearing aids to improve hearing can help make tinnitus less noticeable as well.

Q: Ear Blockages and Infections

If something blocks your ear4, like too much earwax, or if you have an ear infection, it can change the pressure inside your ear and make it harder to hear properly. This can sometimes cause ringing or buzzing sounds, known as tinnitus. In some cases, the noise goes away once the blockage or infection is treated, but if it’s not taken care of, it could stick around longer. Excessive earwax: A buildup of earwax can block the ear canal, altering pressure inside the ear and interfere with normal auditory function, potentially causing tinnitus. Removing earwax for improved hearing is a must. Middle or inner ear infections: These conditions in the middle or inner ear may lead to inflammation or fluid buildup, which disturbs the delicate structures responsible for hearing.

Q: Other Medical Conditions

A number of other medical conditions4 that are not directly ear-related may also cause a person to experience tinnitus or tinnitus-like symptoms. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ): Problems with the jaw joint can produce tinnitus-like symptoms. Cardiovascular issues: High blood pressure and other circulatory problems can affect blood flow to the ears, resulting in tinnitus. Head and neck injuries: Trauma to these areas can damage auditory nerves or disrupt brain functions related to hearing.

Have you ever heard a high-pitched noise that you thought was coming from outside, only to realize it was coming from inside your ear? Tinnitus, often described as a “ringing in the ears,” affects millions worldwide. This condition can present as various phantom sounds, including buzzing, hissing, or roaring, and may significantly impact the quality of life.

Audiologist Stephanie Jaffe

Published 4/3/2025,

Updated 4/3/2025

Reviewed by

HearUSA editorial team

Hearing healthTinnitus

On this page

Types of Tinnitus

Causes of Tinnitus

Symptoms of Tinnitus

How to Manage Tinnitus

Frequently Asked Questions

Types of Tinnitus

Breaking Down the Main Tinnitus Types

While not completely understood, tinnitus can have a variety of causes. But first, it’s important to differentiate between the two main types of tinnitus, which can help indicate why it’s occurring and how to treat it.

Objective Tinnitus

Can be heard by others by using a stethoscope. This type of tinnitus is rare, and typically caused by involuntary muscle contractions or vascular issues.¹

Subjective Tinnitus

Can only be heard by the person experiencing it. It's the most common type and can be neurological (linked to nervous system conditions) or somatic, where the ringing, buzzing, whirling, etc., worsens with body movement or touch.²

Do you have ringing or other sounds in your ear? Book a no-cost hearing screening with a HearUSA Hearing Care Specialist and check your hearing today!

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Causes of Tinnitus

What can Cause Tinnitus?

The majority of tinnitus cases are subjective and often linked to hearing loss (and notably from loud noise exposure), medications, or other underlying conditions affecting the auditory system — the ears’ neural pathways in the brain responsible for the sense of hearing.²

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Hearing Loss

Ear Blockages and Infections

Medications

Other Medical Conditions

Symptoms of Tinnitus

Common Tinnitus Signs and Indicators

Living with tinnitus can present challenges in daily life, often affecting routine activities and overall well-being. Someone may experience:

Tinnitus impacts people in different ways. For example, a person may experience loud, persistent ringing and find it difficult to concentrate at work, especially in a quiet office setting. Or, they may have trouble sleeping. The absence of external sounds at night can amplify the perception of phantom noises, leading to fatigue and irritability the next day.

Social settings can also be impacted. A dinner conversation in a noisy restaurant might become overwhelming as tinnitus competes with external sounds, causing frustration and withdrawal.
Understanding these real-life implications helps highlight the importance of tailored coping strategies.

Phantom noises: Perceived sounds without an external source, such as ringing, buzzing, or hissing. Different types of sounds can sometimes indicate different causes of the tinnitus.

Pitch and volume variations: The intensity and tone of the noise may fluctuate, from faint background sounds to disruptive volumes.

Sounds in one or both ears:Tinnitus can localize in one ear or both, or even feel like it’s originating inside the head.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Occasional or minor tinnitus usually doesn't require immediate medical attention. However, as it could be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, it's not recommended to completely ignore it.

Schedule a checkup with a doctor to rule out more serious problem², especially if you experience:

Sudden onset
If tinnitus develops abruptly without a clear cause.
Accompanying symptoms
Tinnitus combined with sudden hearing loss and dizziness or balance issues may indicate a more serious condition.
Interference with daily life
If tinnitus disrupts sleep, concentration, or emotional well-being, professional evaluation is recommended.

There are different tests that can help determine the cause of your tinnitus. Doctors may conduct a:

Medical history review: Understanding the patient’s history, including exposure to noise and medication use, aids in diagnosis.

Hearing test: Audiometric (hearing) exams assess hearing ability and identify potential hearing loss.

Imaging study: MRI or CT scans may be used to investigate structural abnormalities or injuries.

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How to Manage Tinnitus

Tips for Reducing the Impact of Tinnitus

There’s no guaranteed cure for tinnitus, but there are different ways to manage it and make it less bothersome in daily life.

Strategies like sound therapy, relaxation techniques, and lifestyle changes can help reduce the impact of tinnitus, making it easier to focus, sleep, and go about your day more comfortably.

Sound Therapy

White noise machines: These devices generate calming background sounds that mask tinnitus.

Hearing aids: If you have hearing loss, amplifying external sounds you’re missing with custom hearing aids for tinnitus can help reduce the prominence of it.

Customized sound devices: These tools produce tailored sounds designed to counteract specific tinnitus frequencies. Advances in sound therapy include smartphone apps that allow users to personalize soundscapes or use neural-retraining tones, aiming to "rewire" how the brain processes auditory signals.

Lifestyle Changes

Protect your hearing: Avoiding loud environments and using ear protection can prevent further auditory damage.

Dietary adjustments: Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake may help, as these substances can worsen tinnitus in some cases.

Regular exercise: Improved blood circulation through exercise can benefit the auditory system.

Behavioral and Psychological Approaches

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This therapy helps individuals manage the emotional distress associated with tinnitus by addressing negative thought patterns.

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Practices like meditation and deep breathing can alleviate stress, which often exacerbates tinnitus symptoms. Techniques such as body scanning or guided imagery can also foster relaxation, making tinnitus less intrusive. Emerging research highlights the use of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as a complementary approach, encouraging individuals to coexist peacefully with their symptoms.

More Tips on Tinnitus Management

Medications: While no drug is specifically approved for tinnitus, some medications may relieve associated symptoms like anxiety or depression.

Treating underlying conditions: Addressing root causes, such as ear wax, infections or TMJ disorders, may alleviate tinnitus.

Support groups: Connecting with others who experience tinnitus can provide emotional comfort and practical advice.

Educational resources: Staying informed about new research and treatment options empowers individuals to manage their condition proactively.

Tinnitus is a complex condition with diverse causes and symptoms, but you don’t have to feel powerless. By understanding its origins and exploring effective management strategies, you can take proactive steps toward improving your quality of life.

With medical support, a healthy lifestyle, and a commitment to your hearing health, you can feel confident and in control of managing tinnitus successfully.

1 Healthline: What is Objective Tinnitus: healthline.com/health/objective-tinnitus

2. Mayo Clinic: Tinnitus Symptoms and Causes: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156

3 BMC Medicine: Ageing as risk factor for tinnitus and its complex interplay with hearing loss—evidence from online and NHANES data: bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-023-02998-1

4 Johns Hopkins Medicine: Tinnitus hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tinnitus

5 National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders: Tinnitus: nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Is there a cure for tinnitus?

Can my audiologist test me for tinnitus?

Are there hearing aids that help with tinnitus?

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