Key takeaways
- About 1 in 10 adults experience it.
- Noise and hearing loss are top causes.
- Some medicines can trigger it.
- Sudden hearing loss is urgent.
- Hearing aids and CBT can help.
Almost everyone has noticed a brief ringing after a loud concert. When it lingers, it's worth understanding why.
Common causes
| Cause | Notes |
|---|---|
| Loud noise exposure | Concerts, power tools, firearms, headphones |
| Age-related hearing loss | Common after 60 |
| Earwax buildup | Easy for a doctor to remove |
| Medicines | High-dose aspirin, some antibiotics and chemotherapy |
| Jaw (TMJ) problems | Clenching or misalignment |
| Stress and poor sleep | Can make sounds more noticeable |
| Blood pressure and circulation | Can cause pulsing sounds |
Warning signs: get urgent care
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
- Ringing in one ear only
- A sound that pulses in time with your heartbeat
- Ringing with dizziness, severe headache or facial weakness
Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency; treatment works best when started quickly.
How doctors evaluate it
- Ear examination
- Hearing test (audiogram)
- Review of medicines and health history
- Imaging in some cases
Approaches that help
- Hearing aids if there is hearing loss
- Sound therapy and background noise
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Stress management and good sleep
- Protecting your ears from further noise
Clinical guidelines do not recommend dietary supplements as a treatment for tinnitus. Tinnitrol is a daily hearing support formula, not a tinnitus treatment, and works best alongside professional care.
Sources
- NIDCD (National Institutes of Health) – "Tinnitus."
- Bhatt JM, et al. "Prevalence, severity, exposures, and treatment patterns of tinnitus in the United States." JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2016.
- Tunkel DE, et al. "Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus." Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 2014.
Common questions
What causes ringing in the ears?
Noise exposure, hearing loss, earwax, some medicines, jaw problems and stress.
When is ringing in the ears urgent?
With sudden hearing loss, one-sided ringing, pulsing sounds or dizziness.
What helps?
Hearing aids, sound therapy, CBT and protecting your ears.