Tinnitus is a symptom caused by ear or brain-related issues. Management targets underlying causes when possible; otherwise treatments such as hearing aids, sound therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy help reduce how much tinnitus disrupts life. See a clinician for sudden, pulsatile, or severe symptoms.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external source is present - commonly described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whooshing. It is a symptom, not a disease, and can come from the outer, middle, or inner ear or from how the brain processes sound. Tinnitus varies widely: for some it is a mild background noise, for others it can disrupt sleep, concentration, and daily life.

Common causes and when to seek care

Tinnitus often relates to hearing loss from noise exposure, age-related changes, earwax buildup, or middle-ear problems. Some medications are ototoxic and can trigger or worsen tinnitus (for example, certain antibiotics, some chemotherapy drugs, and high-dose salicylates). Pulsatile tinnitus - a sound in time with the heartbeat - can indicate a vascular issue and should prompt prompt medical evaluation.

If tinnitus begins suddenly, follows head injury, occurs with hearing loss, dizziness, or is pulsatile, see a clinician for evaluation.

Prevention and simple fixes

Protect your hearing. Regular use of earplugs or high-fidelity musician earplugs at loud venues lowers risk of noise-induced hearing damage. Remove impacted earwax safely - a clinician can do this - and review your medications with a provider to check for ototoxic risks.

Evidence-based management

There is no single cure for most cases of subjective tinnitus, but many treatments can reduce the perception of tinnitus or the distress it causes.

  • Hearing aids: For people with hearing loss, hearing aids often reduce tinnitus perception by restoring environmental sound and improving communication.
  • Sound therapy and masking: Sound generators, smartphone apps, and environmental sound (fans, low-level white noise) can make tinnitus less noticeable, especially in quiet environments.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT does not eliminate tinnitus but has the strongest evidence for reducing the emotional distress and improving quality of life.
  • Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): Combines counseling with sound therapy; outcomes vary and it requires long-term commitment.
Some newer or specialized treatments (transcranial magnetic stimulation, neuromodulation devices) are under study but show mixed results; they are not standard first-line treatments.

What to expect

If an underlying and treatable cause exists (ear infection, impacted wax, vascular lesion), treating that condition can resolve or reduce tinnitus. When tinnitus is linked to hearing loss or central processing changes, management focuses on symptom reduction and coping strategies. Many people learn to live with tinnitus with limited impact on daily life; for others, multidisciplinary care (audiology, ENT, psychology) provides significant relief.

When to get urgent help

Seek prompt assessment if tinnitus is sudden, gets rapidly worse, follows head trauma, or comes with severe imbalance or neurological symptoms.

  1. Verify current adult prevalence estimates for tinnitus (percent of adults affected).
  2. Confirm noise exposure threshold (dB level and exposure duration) linked to hearing damage with current occupational and public health guidance.
  3. Confirm latest clinical guideline recommendations (for example, AAO-HNS, NICE) on tinnitus management and strongest-evidence treatments.

FAQs about Treating Tinnitus

Is there a cure for tinnitus?
There is no universal cure for subjective tinnitus. When a specific cause (earwax, infection, vascular lesion) is identified, treating it may resolve tinnitus. Otherwise, treatments focus on reducing perception and distress (hearing aids, sound therapy, CBT).
Can medications cause tinnitus?
Yes. Some medications are ototoxic and can cause or worsen tinnitus, including certain antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and high-dose salicylates. Review medicines with your clinician if tinnitus appears or worsens.
Will hearing aids help my tinnitus?
If you have hearing loss, hearing aids often make tinnitus less noticeable by restoring environmental sounds and improving communication. They are a common and effective part of tinnitus management.
What is pulsatile tinnitus and is it serious?
Pulsatile tinnitus is a sound that follows your heartbeat. It can indicate vascular abnormalities and should be evaluated promptly by a clinician for possible imaging or referral.
Are sound machines and apps effective?
Sound machines, apps, and low-level background noise can help mask tinnitus, making it less bothersome, especially in quiet settings. They are commonly used as part of a broader management plan.

News about Treating Tinnitus

New Tinnitus Treatment Helps Many Who Suffer From Ringing in the Ears - AARP [Visit Site | Read More]

How to get started with tinnitus sound therapy - Healthy Hearing [Visit Site | Read More]

How I Cured My Tinnitus Anxiety and Started Enjoying Life Again - Verywell Health [Visit Site | Read More]

The three new approaches for treating tinnitus - The i Paper [Visit Site | Read More]

New knowledge on tinnitus gives hope - Karolinska Institutet [Visit Site | Read More]

Is there finally a way to measure tinnitus? - Harvard Health [Visit Site | Read More]