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Common problem that often affects older adults Relief from high-pitched ringing or other noises Typically a symptom of other health conditions

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Learn about tinnitus

Tinnitus happens when you hear high-pitched ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. Tinnitus noises aren't caused by an external sound, and other people usually can't hear them.

Tinnitus is a common problem and often affects older adults. In most tinnitus patients, tinnitus is caused by an underlying health condition, such as hearing loss or blood vessel disorders. Sometimes, tinnitus can be severe and debilitating, affecting people's daily lives.

As a result, tinnitus usually improves when the underlying health condition is treated. Other treatment options can help reduce or mask tinnitus noises, making them more manageable.

Tinnitus causes

Tinnitus isn't a disease in and of itself, but a symptom of an underlying health condition. The exact cause of tinnitus is unknown. Research suggests that abnormal activity in the part of the brain that processes sound may be responsible for tinnitus.

While tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, several other health conditions can cause tinnitus. The most common causes of tinnitus include:

Age-related hearing loss

Noise-induced hearing loss

Obstructions in the middle ear

Head and neck trauma

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Traumatic brain injury

Tinnitus symptoms

Most people describe tinnitus as a "ringing in the ears," but it can manifest in a variety of perceived sounds. In almost all cases, tinnitus is a subjective noise, and only the person who has tinnitus can hear it. Many tinnitus sufferers perceive sounds as:

High-pitched ringing

Hissing

Static

Screeching

Pulsing

Buzzing

How to treat tinnitus

Tinnitus itself isn't a condition, but a symptom of other health conditions. If you experience tinnitus, talk to your doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying health condition. If your doctor rules out underlying conditions apart from hearing loss, treatment will focus on managing the impact of tinnitus on your quality of life. Treatment options for tinnitus relief include:

Hearing aids. Many patients with tinnitus also have hearing loss. Hearing aids can help you manage tinnitus by making sounds louder and tinnitus easier to live with.
Sound generators. Sound therapy produces and delivers sounds to mask tinnitus. For example, your sound generator might make soothing sounds or white noise to distract from tinnitus sounds.
Environmental enrichment devices. You can manage tinnitus at home through sound masking. Sound machines that generate soothing background noise, music recordings, or nature sounds from an app can help you find relief.
Relaxation techniques. Living with tinnitus can be stressful, but relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, can help you manage stress so you can live a fulfilling life with tinnitus.
Mental health treatment. Some patients with tinnitus benefit from mental health treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Tinnitus medication

Antidepressants

Celexa Lexapro (Escitalopram) Prozac (Fluoxetine) Zoloft (Sertraline) Paxil Luvox

Most cases of tinnitus do not require medication. However, if you're experiencing anxiety related to your tinnitus, your doctor may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication to help you manage anxiety.

For example, low doses of anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants, such as Valium, can help reduce tinnitus.

How to prevent tinnitus

To avoid tinnitus, protect your ears by thinking about the recreational noise in your daily life. You may take steps to:

Use hearing protection to limit your exposure to loud sounds. Over time, loud sounds can damage the nerves in your ears. If you can't avoid loud sounds, use hearing protection whenever possible. Always wear over-the-ear protection if you work with loud machinery or use firearms.
Lower the volume when you're listening to music with earbuds or headphones. Long-term exposure to loud music can cause tinnitus.
Make healthy lifestyle changes to manage your cardiovascular health. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight to prevent tinnitus linked to obesity and blood vessel disorders. It's also important to manage stress, as high stress levels can make tinnitus worse.
Reduce your alcohol nicotine intake. When used excessively, these substances can affect blood flow, which can contribute to tinnitus.

When to see a doctor for tinnitus

Some people can manage tinnitus at home. For others, tinnitus can be incredibly disruptive, making it difficult to function. If you notice tinnitus sounds that bother you, talk to your healthcare provider or get tinnitus treatment online. If you develop tinnitus after an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold, and your symptoms don't improve within 7 days, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. You should seek medical attention if:

You experience hearing loss or dizziness.
You experience anxiety or depression due to tinnitus.

Tinnitus treatment FAQs

What are the symptoms of tinnitus?

The hallmark symptom of tinnitus is a ringing in the ears. Tinnitus can sound like a high-pitched ringing, hissing, screeching, or buzzing in your ears.

What causes tinnitus?

In most cases, tinnitus is a sensorineural reaction in the brain that happens due to damage to the ear and auditory system. Tinnitus is often a symptom of an underlying health condition, such as:

Hearing loss
Ear bone changes
TMJ disorders
Head or neck trauma
Earwax blockage
Long-term exposure to loud noise

Will tinnitus go away?

For most tinnitus patients, tinnitus will go away regardless of the cause. However, if you notice any symptoms of tinnitus, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider.

If needed, your doctor can identify and treat any underlying health conditions to lessen the impact of tinnitus on your daily life. Your doctor can also help you understand tinnitus so you can manage your symptoms.

How do you treat tinnitus?

Tinnitus is usually the symptom of an underlying health condition, such as hearing loss or loud noise exposure. If you're experiencing tinnitus symptoms, talk to your doctor to identify and treat the underlying condition.

Sometimes, tinnitus isn't related to an underlying health condition. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend sound therapy or environmental enrichment devices to distract from tinnitus sounds.

If you're experiencing mental health challenges related to your tinnitus, your doctor may recommend anti-anxiety treatments, such as mindfulness meditation or antidepressants, to treat your anxiety.

Step 1

Book a tinnitus treatment appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your tinnitus symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3

If prescribed, pick up a prescription to treat your tinnitus.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

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Sources:

PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.

American Tinnitus Association. Understanding the Facts. Accessed on July 12, 2022. https://www.ata.org/understanding-facts
Cleveland Clinic. Tinnitus. Accessed on July 12, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14164-tinnitus
Harvard Health. Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears and what to do about it. Accessed on July 12, 2022. https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/tinnitus-ringing-in-the-ears-and-what-to-do-about-it
Mayo Clinic. Tinnitus. Accessed on July 12, 2022. ww.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156

PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.