Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)

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Topic Overview

Many people experience an occasional ringing (or roaring, hissing, buzzing, or tinkling) in their ears. The sound usually lasts only a few minutes. Ringing in the ears that does not get better or go away is called tinnitus. You may hear a sound, such as a ringing or roaring, that does not come from your surroundings (nobody else can hear it). The sound may keep time with your heartbeat, it may keep pace with your breathing, it may be constant, or it may come and go. Tinnitus is most common in people older than age 40. Men have problems with tinnitus more often than women.

See a picture of the ear.

There are two main types of tinnitus.

  • Pulsatile (like a heartbeat) tinnitus is often caused by sounds created by muscle movements near the ear, changes in the ear canal, or blood flow (vascular) problems in the face or neck. You may hear sounds such as your own pulse or the contractions of your muscles.
  • Nonpulsatile tinnitus is caused by problems in the nerves involved with hearing. You may hear sounds in one or both ears. Sometimes this type of tinnitus is described as coming from inside the head.

The most common cause of tinnitus is hearing loss that occurs with aging (presbycusis), but it can also be caused by living or working around loud noises (acoustic trauma). Tinnitus can occur with all types of hearing loss and may be a symptom of almost any ear disorder. Other possible causes of tinnitus include:

Most tinnitus that comes and goes does not require medical treatment. You may need to see your doctor if tinnitus occurs with other symptoms, does not get better or go away, or is in only one ear. There may not be a cure for tinnitus, but your doctor can help you learn how to live with the problem and make sure a more serious problem is not causing your symptoms.

Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor.

Check Your Symptoms

Do you have ringing in your ears?
This is called tinnitus.
Yes
Ringing in ears
No
Ringing in ears
How old are you?
3 years or younger
3 years or younger
4 to 11 years
4 to 11 years
12 years or older
12 years or older
Are you male or female?
Male
Male
Female
Female
Did the symptoms start after a head injury?
Yes
Symptoms began after a head injury
No
Symptoms began after a head injury
Do you think you may have an ear infection?
Pain and discharge from the ear are the usual symptoms of infection.
Yes
Possible ear infection
No
Possible ear infection
Have you had an injury to your ear in the past week?
The ear can be injured by a direct hit, a very loud noise (like a gunshot or firecracker), or an object being pushed into the ear.
Yes
Recent ear injury
No
Recent ear injury
Do you have a severe earache?
Yes
Severe earache
No
Severe earache
Is the problem getting worse?
Yes
Tinnitus is getting worse
No
Tinnitus is getting worse
Do you have vertigo?
Yes
Vertigo
No
Vertigo
Do you have any new hearing loss?
Yes
New hearing loss
No
New hearing loss
Is the ringing in your ears a new symptom?
Yes
Tinnitus is new
No
Tinnitus is new
Are you nauseated or vomiting?
Nauseated means you feel sick to your stomach, like you are going to vomit.
Yes
Nausea or vomiting
No
Nausea or vomiting
Did it start suddenly?
Yes
Tinnitus began suddenly
No
Tinnitus began suddenly
Is the ringing only in one ear?
Yes
Tinnitus is in only one ear
No
Tinnitus is in only one ear
Do you think that a medicine may be causing the ringing in your ears?
Think about whether the symptoms started after you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine.
Yes
Medicine may be causing symptoms
No
Medicine may be causing symptoms
Have you had any ear symptoms for more than a week?
Yes
Ear symptoms for more than 1 week
No
Ear symptoms for more than 1 week

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

  • Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
  • Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
  • Medicines you take. Certain medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
  • Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
  • Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Try Home Treatment

You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.

  • Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
  • Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.
HomeTreatment
RelatedInformation

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause ringing in the ears (tinnitus). A few examples are:

  • Aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), and naproxen (such as Aleve).
  • Some blood pressure and heart medicines.
  • Some antidepressants.
  • Some cancer medicines.

Vertigo is the feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. It may feel like spinning, whirling, or tilting. Vertigo may make you sick to your stomach, and you may have trouble standing, walking, or keeping your balance.

Seek Care Today

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

  • Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
  • If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
  • If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
  • If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.
HomeTreatment
RelatedInformation

Seek Care Now

Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.

  • Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
  • If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
  • You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
    • You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
    • You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.

Make an Appointment

Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

  • Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
  • If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
  • If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
HomeTreatment
RelatedInformation
Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger
Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older
Head Injury, Age 4 and Older

Home Treatment

The following tips may help you reduce symptoms of tinnitus.

  • Cut back on or stop drinking alcohol and beverages containing caffeine.
  • Stop smoking and stop using smokeless tobacco products. Nicotine use makes tinnitus worse by reducing blood flow to the structures of the ear.
  • Limit your use of aspirin, products containing aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
  • Exercise regularly. Exercise improves blood flow to the structures of the ear. But avoid extended periods of exercise, such as bicycle riding, that keep your neck in a hyperextended position. For more information, see the topic Fitness: Getting and Staying Active.

While waiting to see whether tinnitus goes away, or if your doctor has advised you that your tinnitus will be present for a long time, try these methods to cope with the constant noise:

  • Limit or avoid exposure to the noises you suspect are causing your tinnitus. If you cannot avoid loud noises, wear protective earplugs or earmuffs.
  • Try to ignore the sound by directing your attention to other things.
  • Practice relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback, meditation, or yoga. Stress and fatigue seem to make tinnitus worse.
  • Quiet rooms can cause tinnitus to seem more distracting. Background noise may reduce the amount of noise you hear. Play music or white noise when you are trying to fall asleep or anytime you find yourself in a quiet place. Try using a fan, a humidifier, or a machine that makes soothing sounds such as ocean waves.
  • Try the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba. Some studies suggest that it may help relieve tinnitus, but other studies do not show a benefit. Further studies are needed to determine the best dosage.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:

  • Symptoms develop that are related to nerve damage, such as loss of coordination or numbness or weakness on one side of the face or one side of the body.
  • Other symptoms develop, such as significant hearing loss, vertigo, loss of balance, nausea or vomiting.
  • Tinnitus localizes to one ear.
  • Hearing loss becomes worse after an ear injury, or tinnitus or hearing loss does not improve.
  • Tinnitus continues for more than a week.
  • Your symptoms become more severe or more frequent.

Prevention

You may be able to prevent ringing in the ears if you:

  • Limit or avoid exposure to loud noises, such as music, power tools, gunshots, and industrial machinery.
    • Wear protective earplugs or earmuffs if you cannot avoid loud noises. Do not use wadded-up tissue or cotton balls. These do not protect adequately against loud noises, especially the more dangerous high frequencies, and they may become lodged in the ear canal.
    • Be careful when using stereo headphones. If music is so loud that others can hear it clearly or you can't hear other sounds around you, the volume is too high.
  • Cut back on or stop drinking alcohol and beverages containing caffeine.
  • Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco products. Nicotine use may cause tinnitus by reducing blood flow to the structures of the ear. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
  • Exercise regularly. Exercise may prevent tinnitus because it improves blood flow to the structures of the ear. For more information, see the topic Fitness: Getting and Staying Active.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Tinnitus occurs more frequently in obese adults. For more information, see the topic Weight Management.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

  • When did your tinnitus start?
  • Have you ever had tinnitus before? How old were you when you first had problems with tinnitus?
  • Is the tinnitus in one or both ears? Do you feel like the noise is inside your head?
  • How would you describe your tinnitus?
    • Is it high-pitched or low-pitched?
    • Is it constant, or does it come and go?
    • Is it steady, or does it pulsate? If it pulsates, is it in time with your heartbeat or is it irregular with no steady rhythm?
    • Do you hear roaring, clicking, or blowing noises?
    • Does it change when you swallow or yawn?
  • Have you noticed any hearing loss?
  • Have you had a recent injury to the ear?
  • Have you recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident that set off the air bag?
  • Do you have any other symptoms of a nervous system problem, such as numbness, weakness, or loss of coordination?
  • Do you have frequent headaches or temporomandibular (TM) pain?
  • Do you have any symptoms of vertigo?
  • Have you recently lost 20 lb (9 kg) or more?
  • What prescription and nonprescription medicines are you currently taking?
    • How long have you taken these medicines?
    • Have you recently started taking any new medicines?
    • Have you increased your dose of any medicines?
    • Did you ever use streptomycin, gentamicin, or other ear medicines in the past?
  • Do you have any health risks?

Other Places To Get Help

Organization

American Tinnitus Association
www.ata.org

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine

Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerAdam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Current as ofApril 7, 2017

Current as of: April 7, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine