Tinnitus: Why Your Ears Ring and What You Can Do

That high-pitched buzz or whoosh in your ears can feel scary, but tinnitus is more common than you think. Some people hear it occasionally after loud concerts. Others live with steady ringing. Knowing what causes it and what actually helps can cut a lot of stress.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The most common causes are noise damage, earwax buildup, and age-related hearing loss. Certain meds—like some antibiotics, NSAIDs, or high-dose aspirin—can trigger it. Less often, tinnitus comes from a jaw issue (TMJ), blood flow changes near the ear, or an ear infection.

If the ringing started after head or neck injury, or it’s one-sided and loud, get checked. Those signs can point to conditions that need quick attention. Also watch for dizziness, hearing loss, or sharp pain—those aren’t just annoying, they’re reasons to see a specialist.

Practical ways to reduce ringing right now

Start with the basics: protect your ears from loud noise and get your hearing checked. An audiologist can find hearing loss and fit a hearing aid, which often reduces tinnitus by restoring background sound. If earwax is the cause, a clinic can remove it safely.

Sound therapy helps many people. White noise machines, low-volume fans, or quiet music can make the ringing less noticeable. Don’t crank the volume—more loud sound risks more damage. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) also helps by changing how your brain reacts to the noise; it won’t erase tinnitus but it can make it less bothersome.

Watch medications. Talk with your doctor about switching drugs if a prescribed medicine might be the trigger. Also check caffeine and alcohol—some people find cutting back helps. Manage stress; anxiety often makes tinnitus feel worse. Simple breathing, short walks, or a regular sleep routine can lower the stress that amplifies the sound.

There’s no one-size-fits-all cure. Treatments focus on reducing impact and improving sleep, mood, and daily function. In some cases doctors try medications, hearing devices, or specialized sound generators. Surgery is rarely used and only for specific causes.

If tinnitus keeps you up, affects work, or leads to anxiety or depression, ask for a referral to an ear specialist or an audiologist. Getting a clear diagnosis changes what will help most.

Want to read more on related topics? Check our guides on medication safety, ear health, and alternatives for noise-sensitive conditions. Relevant posts include practical tips on safe medication use and managing related symptoms like hearing loss or dizziness. Explore those articles to find step-by-step advice and real-life tips you can try today.

If you have questions about a specific medicine or symptom, use our contact page to reach out. A quick check with a pro beats guessing, and it often points to simple fixes that reduce ringing fast.