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5 essential facts about tinnitus (and how to get relief)
That ringing noise in your ears can be annoying. It may also be a sign of hearing loss. Find out what to do to help manage the sound.
Many people experience mild ringing in their ears now and then. You may notice it for a short time after you go to a loud concert, for example. But for some people, this annoying sound — called tinnitus — can last for weeks, months or even longer.1
Tinnitus is an internal tone or sound that only you can hear. Someone with tinnitus may hear the sound in one or both ears. And it can come and go or be there all the time.2
It’s estimated that 10% to 25% of Americans have tinnitus, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).1 Although anyone can be affected by this health problem, it’s especially common in older adults.
About 1 in 3 adults over age 65 develop ringing in the ears. And tinnitus is linked to age-related hearing loss, among other health causes.3
Read on to learn key facts that may help you spot tinnitus in yourself or a loved one — and find relief.
Fact #1: You may not hear ringing
Ringing in the ears is the most common sound people use to describe what they hear, says Leslie Soiles, Au.D. She’s chief audiologist for HearingLife and is based in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. But not everyone hears the same sound.
“Some people may hear a buzzing sound, high pitched hum or hiss, or even crickets,” says Soiles. Other sounds can include a roaring, whooshing, thumping or clicking noise in the ears. These sounds can be soft or loud, high-pitched or low pitched.4
Fact #2: Tinnitus doesn’t cause hearing loss
Tinnitus isn’t a disease, and it won’t cause you to lose your hearing. It’s a sign of age-related hearing loss, as well as hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noises. Nearly 60% of people with tinnitus reported having hearing loss, according to a recent study.5
While no one really knows what causes tinnitus when there’s hearing loss, there is a theory, says Soiles. People with hearing loss typically lose the ability to hear high frequencies first, she explains.
Gradually, the brain becomes aware that these high-frequency sounds are missing. “The body will then generate a high-pitched sound such as a ringing or buzzing noise to replace what it perceives as missing,” Soiles says.
Even if you don’t have hearing loss, tinnitus can be distracting. In rare cases, it is debilitating if left untreated. People with severe tinnitus might become depressed and anxious. They can have trouble sleeping, since the noise in the ears interferes with a good night’s rest.4
Fact #3: Tinnitus has many possible causes
Experts are not exactly sure what causes tinnitus. Hearing loss is a common trigger, but it’s not the only one. Other common causes include:1, 3
- Certain medications. These include over-the-counter pain relievers (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) and some antibiotics, antidepressants and anticancer drugs.
- Earwax buildup
- Ear infection
- Head and neck injuries
High blood pressure, teeth grinding, certain chronic diseases and inner ear disorders can also cause tinnitus. But these are less common risk factors.1
If you have a ringing in your ears, seeing your primary care provider (PCP) is a good place to start, according to NIDCD. Your PCP can check for an ear infection or earwax, review your medications, and rule out any underlying medical conditions.
If that’s not the issue, see a hearing care professional (such as an audiologist) for a complete hearing exam. AARP® members can request a hearing exam and consultation without a referral through AARP® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing.
Fact #4: Tinnitus is treatable
There’s no cure for tinnitus. But there are ways of managing it so you can get relief. Your hearing care professional will go over the results of your hearing exam with you and recommend a treatment plan. Some ways to treat it:
Distraction: Sometimes it’s tough not to focus on the buzzing or ringing in your ear. One way to manage tinnitus is to draw the focus away from it. That can include running white noise machines, fans or nature sounds through an app. There are also earbuds that are like little white-noise makers for your ears.3
Stress management: Some people with severe tinnitus have higher levels of anxiety and depression, says Soiles. So, dealing with stress can help — and improve your quality of life.
You could see a mental health professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which is a form of talk therapy, has been effective in helping people deal with tinnitus.6 Regular exercise can also help release tension and boost your mood.
Hearing aids: This is an option for people with tinnitus who also have hearing loss.1 Hearing aids work by amplifying the tones you don’t hear very well. They also help mask tinnitus.
Fact #5: You may be able to prevent tinnitus
You can’t always prevent ringing in your ears. Sometimes it’s a side effect of something else. But you can try to protect your hearing. Here’s how:
Limit loud noises as much as possible: Loud noises are everywhere. But wearing noise-canceling headphones, earplugs or even earmuffs can help block out the loudest sounds.1, 3 These sounds include things like power tools, leaf blowers and jackhammers.
Also, consider wearing noise-canceling headphones when you go to sporting events, firework displays and concerts. And lower the volume on the TV and when listening to music.
If you smoke, quit: Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing tinnitus. Kicking the habit can lower the odds. Try to cut back on caffeine and alcohol too, recommends the Mayo Clinic. These substances can affect blood flow and contribute to tinnitus.4
Remember, you don’t have to suffer with tinnitus in silence. There is help and hope out there. And it starts with talking to your PCP about your symptoms.
Ready to request a hearing exam and consultation? AARP Hearing Solutions has a wide network of hearing care professionals. Find a provider.
Sources
- Tinnitus National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Last updated May 2023.
- Tinnitus American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed April 25, 2024.
- Tinnitus Cleveland Clinic. Last reviewed December 4, 2023.
- Tinnitus Mayo Clinic. Published November 30, 2022.
- Tinnitus prevalence, associated characteristics, and related healthcare use in the United States: a population-level analysis The Lancet Regional Health Americas. Published January 6, 2024.
- Systemic review and network analysis of cognitive and/or behavioral therapies (CBT) for tinnitus Otology & Neurotology. Published February 2020.
Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.
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