Tinnitus is hearing a sound when there is no external sound source. It may sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling, and it is sometimes a pulse or sound that is synchronized with the heartbeat. It can be heard in one ear, both ears, or sometimes in the head.
Tinnitus is common. It is often associated with previous noise exposure, hearing loss, or age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), although hearing may sometimes test as normal.
What can help?
There is no medication or supplement that reliably cures chronic tinnitus. Treatment focuses on making the sound less noticeable and reducing how much it affects daily life.
Using gentle background sounds
Tinnitus is often more noticeable in quiet environments. Gentle background sound can make it easier for the brain to shift attention away from it.
You can use:
- A fan or air conditioner
- Soft music
- Nature sounds
- White noise or other neutral background sounds
- A tinnitus masking or sound-therapy app
Apps for playing gentle background sounds
Some examples of free apps, or apps with useful free options, for playing gentle background sounds such as rain, a fan, or white noise include:
- ReSound Tinnitus Relief
- White Noise Lite
- myNoise
- Tinnitune
Choose a comfortable sound at a low level. It does not need to completely mask the tinnitus; the goal is to make the tinnitus less noticeable, especially in quiet environments or at bedtime.
Hearing aids and tinnitus
Some hearing aids include tinnitus sound or masking features that can help make tinnitus less noticeable. These can be adjusted with an audiologist when the device supports them.
Protect your hearing — but not too much
Use hearing protection when exposed to genuinely loud noise, such as concerts, power tools, or other high-volume environments.
Avoid wearing earplugs throughout normal daily activities. Excessive silence can make tinnitus seem more prominent.
Hearing assessment
A hearing test is useful when tinnitus is persistent, and is especially appropriate when tinnitus affects one ear only, has lasted six months or longer, or comes with any difficulty hearing.
If hearing loss is present, hearing aids may improve communication and can also make tinnitus less noticeable.
Managing bothersome tinnitus
Tinnitus education and management programs, or cognitive behavioral therapy, can help some patients understand tinnitus better and reduce its impact on daily life.
The goal is not necessarily to eliminate the sound, but to make it less intrusive.
When should you see a doctor?
Assessment is recommended if tinnitus is:
- persistently in one ear
- a pulse or sound that is synchronized with the heartbeat
- associated with hearing loss or dizziness
- sudden in onset, or significantly worsening
- significantly affecting sleep or daily life
Seek urgent medical assessment for:
- Sudden hearing loss
- New facial weakness or other neurological symptoms
- Severe new vertigo with neurological symptoms
Most non-pulsatile tinnitus is not caused by a dangerous condition, and imaging is not routinely needed for uncomplicated non-pulsatile tinnitus. Imaging may be considered when tinnitus is in one ear only, is pulsatile, comes with hearing loss that differs between the two ears, or comes with focal neurological findings.