In a silence where some people could hear a pin drop, people with tinnitus hear a constant ringing in their ears. Or the sound may be a buzzing, rushing, pinging, clicking, whistling, or roaring.
Some people describe it as a freight train constantly rolling through their brains. But tinnitus has nothing to do with actual sound waves hitting the ear.
What causes tinnitus
Millions of Americans have tinnitus. Tinnitus can be temporary (acute) or ongoing (chronic).
People with hearing loss can have tinnitus. Being exposed to loud noise for a long time can cause tinnitus, as well as hearing loss. It can also be caused by simple wax buildup in the ear canal, ear or sinus infections, and TM joint (temporomandibular joint) problems. Many medicines can cause tinnitus. If you think that your medicine is causing your tinnitus, talk with your healthcare provider. Allergies, tumors, heart problems, and jaw and neck illnesses also can cause tinnitus.
How to treat it
Sometimes tinnitus is a short-term (temporary) symptom of a physical problem. In those cases, treating the physical problem may end the tinnitus. For example, having a healthcare provider remove earwax may stop the tinnitus.
In most other cases, there is no known cure. But doing the following can provide relief.
Have a checkup by an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT or otolaryngologist). Or get care from an audiologist. If tinnitus is affecting your quality of life and daily activities, a healthcare provider can help you manage your condition. Anyone who has tinnitus should get medical care to rule out any physical problems.
If you have both hearing loss and tinnitus, see your healthcare provider for help with both problems. You may want to try these treatments:
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A masking device. This device makes a low-level sound. It helps you to ignore the tinnitus and fall asleep. Listening to radio static at low volume also can help.
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A tabletop sound generator. This device uses nature sounds to help you ignore tinnitus. This includes sounds, such as a babbling brook, ocean waves, or forest life.
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Medicine therapy. Medicines are available that may ease tinnitus. But more research is needed to confirm how well they work.If your provider prescribes a medicine, ask if there are any side effects.
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Tinnitus retraining therapy. This method also uses a masking device. But this is done at a lower intensity than the tinnitus. This can help the brain filter out (habituate to) the sound. Cognitive behavioral therapy is included to help treat the person's emotional reaction to tinnitus.
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Biofeedback. This relaxation method often helps to ease tinnitus symptoms, by helping to reduce stress.
Other treatments that help some people with tinnitus include cochlear implants. These are only available to people who are totally deaf. Or to people with profound hearing loss in both ears. There are also medicines that reduce anxiety or depression, or that help you sleep. Ask your healthcare provider which treatment may work best for you.
What can I do for myself?
Here are some tips on coping with tinnitus:
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Think about things that will help you cope. Many people find listening to music very helpful. Focusing on music may help you forget about your tinnitus for a while. It can also help hide the sound. Other people like to listen to recorded nature sounds, such as ocean waves, the wind, or crickets.
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Keep away from anything that can make your tinnitus worse. This includes smoking, alcohol, and loud noise. In some cases, it's helpful to wear earplugs or special earmuffs. These can protect your hearing and keep your tinnitus from getting worse. If you are a construction worker, airport worker, or hunter, or if you are regularly exposed to loud noise at home or work, always wear protective hearing devices.
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Ask friends and family for help. If it is hard for you to hear over your tinnitus, explain your condition to your friends and family and ask them to face you when they talk. Then you can see their faces. Seeing their expressions may help you understand them better. Ask people to speak louder, but not shout. Also tell them they don't have to speak slowly, just more clearly.
You may hear your heartbeat in your ear or a swishing sound. This may mean that a more serious condition is present. You should see an ear, nose, and throat specialist for further evaluation.
To learn more
FAQs
If tinnitus is especially noticeable in quiet settings, try using a white noise machine to mask the noise from tinnitus. If you don't have a white noise machine, a fan, soft music or low-volume radio static also may help. Limit alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
Does anything actually help tinnitus? ›
Currently, there is no known cure for tinnitus. However, experts suggest trying one of the following to find relief: Hearing aids. These may benefit some people with tinnitus who have hearing loss.
What is the most effective treatment for tinnitus? ›
Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are ways to reduce symptoms. Common approaches include the use of sound therapy devices (including hearing aids), behavioral therapies, and medications.
What not to do when you have tinnitus? ›
Try to avoid focusing too much attention on your tinnitus and take steps to manage the condition. Avoid excessive noise, and find relaxation and stress management techniques that work for you.
What vitamin helps tinnitus go away? ›
Deficient vitamin B12 levels may also lead to damage in the tiny blood vessels in the ear. Both factors could contribute to tinnitus symptoms. Additionally, study participants with vitamin B12 deficiency and tinnitus reported a reduction in tinnitus symptom severity following therapy with vitamin B12 injections.
Where do you press to stop tinnitus? ›
Earlobe. The pressure point located slightly behind the earlobe may help with tinnitus, earaches, and headaches. However, this is anecdotal. More research is necessary to determine the possible benefits of applying pressure to the earlobe.
What is the new treatment for tinnitus? ›
A new treatment approach for tinnitus is called bimodal neuromodulation, which targets the brain by stimulating two sensory systems. In a device called Lenire, patients wear headphones and a mouth device every day for an hour for at least six weeks.
How did I cured my tinnitus naturally? ›
7 tinnitus remedies to try at home
- White noise machines. White noise machines can help mask tinnitus ringing or buzzing sounds, making it easier to focus on other things. ...
- Relaxation techniques. ...
- Sound therapy. ...
- Regular exercise. ...
- Proper sleep. ...
- Limit caffeine and alcohol. ...
- Dietary changes.
Do tinnitus ear drops work? ›
Can I purchase ear drops for tinnitus? There are no ear drops specifically for treating tinnitus (ringing in your ears). Tinnitus is usually a symptom of another condition, such as an ear infection, earwax blockage, hearing loss or TMJ disorders. Typically, tinnitus may go away when you treat the underlying issue.
Why does tinnitus suddenly stop? ›
For some people, tinnitus may be temporary. A person may experience tinnitus as a symptom of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL occurs due to long-term exposure to a noisy environment. A person's NIHL symptoms can go away after leaving the noisy environment.
A recently published study has unveiled that elderly tinnitus patients face a considerably higher risk of dementia, and they also exhibit associations with other cognitive impairments, including anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties (Malesci et al., 2021).
What is the best exercise for tinnitus? ›
Here are simple neck exercises that may help with somatic tinnitus:
- Neck tilt: Sit or stand with a straight back. ...
- Neck turn: Turn your head slowly to one side, bringing your chin towards your shoulder. ...
- Chin tuck: Sit or stand upright. ...
- Shoulder roll: Stand or sit with your back straight.
What can you do immediately for tinnitus? ›
What is the best way to deal with tinnitus?
- Use a noise machine. Things like white noise, nature sounds or ambient soundscapes can help distract your brain and reduce your tinnitus symptoms. ...
- Wear in-ear noise generators. These are earbuds that give off a continuous white noise hum.
Does drinking water help tinnitus? ›
Drinking plenty of water is not only good for overall health but also important for maintaining good hearing health. It helps combat tinnitus symptoms and ensures proper blood flow throughout the body, including your ears.
How I cured my tinnitus with home remedies? ›
7 tinnitus remedies to try at home
- White noise machines. White noise machines can help mask tinnitus ringing or buzzing sounds, making it easier to focus on other things. ...
- Relaxation techniques. ...
- Sound therapy. ...
- Regular exercise. ...
- Proper sleep. ...
- Limit caffeine and alcohol. ...
- Dietary changes.
What over the counter medicine is good for tinnitus? ›
Over-the-counter medications
Some people also take Ginkgo biloba extract and melatonin to treat tinnitus and experience good results, but other people find them ineffective. Tinnitus can be a sign that a person has low levels of zinc.