How to Address Tinnitus

Tinnitus affects over 50 million people in the U.S. alone. If you’ve ever asked how to address tinnitus, you’re not alone — and help is available. Tinnitus isn’t a disease, but a symptom with many possible causes. While no universal cure exists, many proven treatments and coping tools can make a life-changing difference.

In this guide, we’ll explore causes, symptoms, treatments, and new research. You’ll also learn which therapies may reduce its impact — including hearing aids, sound therapy, and behavioral approaches.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. It may sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking, roaring, or pulsing. These phantom sounds can occur in one ear, both ears, or inside your head. They may come and go or persist constantly.

Common Sounds People Report:

  • Ringing

  • Buzzing

  • Whooshing

  • Clicking

  • Roaring

  • Thumping in rhythm with your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus)

Tinnitus ranges from mildly annoying to severely disabling. For some, it interferes with sleep, concentration, or emotional health. In these cases, professional help is essential.

A man holds his ears while wide awake in bed.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom of several medical conditions. The exact cause is often difficult to pinpoint. But it commonly stems from damage or dysfunction in the auditory system.

Here are the most common causes:

1. Age-Related Hearing Loss

Hearing loss often begins around age 60. As hearing declines, your brain receives less input. It may compensate by generating phantom noise — leading to tinnitus.

2. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Loud noise exposure is a top cause. Firearms, concerts, machinery, and earbuds at high volumes can all cause lasting damage. Even short bursts of noise, like explosions, may trigger permanent tinnitus.

Explore how fireworks may cause hearing damage. 

3. Earwax Blockages

Impacted earwax can muffle sound and cause pressure. This may trigger temporary tinnitus until the blockage is removed.

4. Ear Infections or Injury

Infections, fluid buildup, or trauma to the eardrum or inner ear structures may cause ear ringing.

5. Ototoxic Medications

Some medications are harmful to your ears. These include certain antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and NSAIDs. If tinnitus began after starting a new medication, consult your provider.

6. Underlying Medical Conditions

Tinnitus is often a symptom of another condition rather than a standalone issue. Several health problems may contribute to tinnitus, especially when they affect your auditory or nervous systems. These include:

  • Ménière’s disease, which causes pressure and fluid buildup in the inner ear

  • Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which affects the jaw joint near the ear

  • Eustachian tube dysfunction, which disrupts pressure balance in the middle ear

  • Blood vessel disorders, such as high blood pressure, which can lead to pulsatile tinnitus

  • Autoimmune diseases, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, which may cause ear inflammation

  • Otosclerosis, a condition involving abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that affects hearing

Each of these conditions may influence how your brain and ears process sound. To explore how these and other disorders can contribute to tinnitus, check out this comprehensive review of tinnitus-related causes.

When to Seek Help for Tinnitus

Tinnitus lasting more than one week should be evaluated by a hearing care provider. Seek help immediately if tinnitus is accompanied by:

  • Sudden hearing loss

  • Vertigo or dizziness

  • Pulsing sounds in rhythm with your heartbeat

  • Ear pain or drainage

Prompt care may prevent long-term issues and start you on a path to relief.

Ways to Address Tinnitus

Even when tinnitus can’t be cured, many people find effective ways to manage it. Let’s explore proven treatment options.

1. Sound Therapy

Sound therapy uses external noise to reduce your perception of tinnitus. It can be delivered through devices, apps, or hearing aids.

Common Sound Therapy Tools:

  • White noise machines: These devices play soft static or nature sounds.

  • Smartphone apps: Download apps that provide relaxing soundscapes like ocean waves or rainfall.

  • In-ear noise generators: These wearable devices emit gentle masking sounds during the day.

  • Sound pillows or headbands: These help mask tinnitus at night without needing earbuds.

According to this study, sound therapy is one of the most promising tinnitus management techniques.

Explore more about apps for tinnitus relief. 

A woman looks at hearing aids with her audiologist.

2. Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are especially effective when tinnitus accompanies hearing loss. They help by:

  • Amplifying external sounds: This masks tinnitus and reduces your focus on internal noise.

  • Increasing auditory stimulation: More input means less brain-generated “phantom” sound.

  • Improving communication: This helps reduce stress and isolation, which often worsen tinnitus.

  • Built-in tinnitus features: Many modern devices have sound masking or soothing programs.

About 60% of tinnitus patients report some relief with hearing aids, and 22% find significant relief.

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps you reframe your emotional response to tinnitus. It teaches coping skills and reduces distress.

CBT is especially helpful if tinnitus is affecting your sleep, mood, or quality of life. This approach can:

  • Lower anxiety and depression

  • Reduce tinnitus-related distress

  • Improve sleep

  • Boost daily functioning

CBT does not eliminate tinnitus, but it can make it far less disruptive.

4. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

TRT combines sound therapy with counseling. It aims to help your brain classify tinnitus as unimportant background noise.

With time, this helps you become less aware of the ringing or buzzing. TRT can take 12 to 24 months, but many find long-term relief.

5. Medications

There are no FDA-approved medications for tinnitus. But certain drugs may ease related symptoms like:

  • Insomnia

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

Doctors may prescribe:

  • Antidepressants

  • Anti-anxiety medications

  • Sleep aids (short term)

These medications don’t treat tinnitus directly but can improve how you feel overall.

6. Lifestyle Changes

Tinnitus can worsen with certain lifestyle factors. Managing these can reduce flare-ups:

  • Sleep: Prioritize consistent, quality rest.

  • Stress: Use relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga.

  • Noise exposure: Wear hearing protection in loud environments.

  • Caffeine and salt: Reduce intake if you notice symptoms spike.

Avoid complete silence. Background noise helps prevent tinnitus from becoming the loudest thing you hear.

Foods That May Affect Tinnitus

Some research suggests that certain foods may influence tinnitus. While findings are mixed, consider limiting:

  • Caffeine

  • Salt

  • Saturated fats

  • Alcohol

Keeping a food and symptom diary can help you spot personal triggers.

Understand more about how your diet affects your tinnitus risk. 

Can Tinnitus Be Prevented?

In some cases, yes. While not all tinnitus is avoidable, hearing protection reduces your risk. Protect your ears when:

  • Mowing the lawn or using power tools

  • Attending concerts or sports events

  • Working in noisy environments

  • Shooting or hunting

  • Wearing headphones or earbuds

Custom ear protection is available through hearing care providers. It’s worth the investment if noise exposure is frequent in your life.

Signs Your Tinnitus Is Getting Better

Tinnitus may be improving if you notice:

  • Lower volume or pitch

  • Fewer flare-ups

  • Better sleep

  • Less frustration

  • Longer stretches without noticing it

Consistency with treatment helps promote improvement. Celebrate these small wins as signs of progress.

What New Research Is Exploring

Tinnitus research is evolving rapidly. Scientists are exploring ways to calm the brain’s response to missing sound input.

Here are some promising developments:

Electric Stimulation

Cochlear implants suppress tinnitus in people with profound hearing loss. Researchers are testing gentler stimulation to relieve tinnitus in those with normal hearing.

Bimodal Stimulation

Combining sound with electric pulses on the tongue or neck may retrain the brain more effectively.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

This noninvasive procedure uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions linked to tinnitus. Results are still mixed, but ongoing studies continue to fine-tune this approach.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

DBS is invasive and typically used for movement disorders. However, some patients report reduced tinnitus, prompting new investigations.

Drug Therapy

Animal studies have shown promising results using new compounds that target hyperactive auditory neurons. Clinical trials for humans are underway.

Genetics and Personalization

Researchers are analyzing brain imaging and genetic data to identify tinnitus subtypes. This may lead to customized treatment protocols in the future.

Tinnitus and Quality of Life

Tinnitus can affect your:

  • Mood

  • Concentration

  • Sleep

  • Work performance

  • Relationships

Addressing tinnitus is not just about the sound. It’s about restoring peace of mind and daily balance.

A woman relaxes and reads in the sunlight.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

If tinnitus is interfering with your life, you’re not alone. There are many ways to address tinnitus — from hearing aids and sound therapy to counseling and lifestyle changes. You don’t need to suffer in silence.

Ready to talk to someone who understands? Contact Stanford Hearing today and take the first step toward better hearing health.