Ear Ringing (Tinnitus): What Causes It and What You Can Do
Hearing a constant or occasional ringing in your ears? That’s tinnitus. For many people it’s annoying; for some it’s disruptive. Tinnitus isn’t a disease on its own — it’s a symptom. It can come from lots of different causes and often there are things you can try right away to feel better.
Common triggers include loud noise exposure, earwax build-up, age-related hearing loss, some medications (like high-dose aspirin, certain antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, and some chemotherapy drugs), and health issues such as high blood pressure, ear infections, TMJ problems, or Meniere’s disease. Stress and poor sleep often make the sound seem louder.
Simple fixes you can try today
Start with the low-effort stuff that often helps fast:
- Check for earwax. A visible blockage can cause ringing. Don’t stick cotton swabs deep in your ear — consider softening drops or a clinic cleaning.
- Protect your ears. Use earplugs at concerts, when mowing the lawn, or in noisy workplaces. Repeated loud noise is a top cause of long-term tinnitus.
- Limit known culprits. Cut back on caffeine, nicotine, and excessive alcohol — they can worsen symptoms for some people.
- Manage stress and sleep. Relaxation, regular sleep, and simple breathing or mindfulness exercises can reduce how much the ringing bothers you.
- Use sound wisely. A fan, quiet background music, or a white-noise app can mask ringing at night and make it less noticeable.
If you have hearing loss, hearing aids often reduce tinnitus by restoring external sound. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help change how you react to the noise so it doesn’t control your day. Ask your clinician about sound therapy programs and tinnitus retraining, too.
When to see a doctor
See a clinician if the ringing starts suddenly, follows head or neck injury, comes with hearing loss, dizziness, or ear drainage, or if it’s loud enough to affect sleep or daily life. Sudden hearing loss is an emergency — get medical help within 24–48 hours.
Your doctor may check for earwax, ear infection, or hearing problems and review medications that could be contributing. Tests can include a hearing test, ear exam, and sometimes imaging if a specific cause is suspected. Treatment targets the underlying cause when possible — for example, removing wax, treating an infection, or changing an offending drug.
Most people learn to manage tinnitus even if a quick cure isn’t available. Small changes — protecting your ears, improving sleep, and trying masking or therapy — often make a big difference. If you’re unsure where to start, ask a primary care doctor or audiologist for a focused plan you can actually use every day.
Tinnitus During Pregnancy: Expectations and Coping Strategies
Tinnitus, often described as a ringing in the ears, can be an unexpected challenge for many during pregnancy. Hormonal changes and increased blood flow might intensify this condition. These disruptions can turn an already demanding time into something even more stressful. Fortunately, there are simple ways to make it more manageable, including strategies for minimizing distractions and promoting relaxation.
- March 10 2025
- Tony Newman
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