Tinnitus: What’s Causing That Ringing — and What You Can Do About It

Heard a persistent ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears? You’re not alone. Tinnitus is a common symptom, not a disease itself, and it shows up for lots of reasons. This page gives clear, practical steps you can try today and explains when to ask a doctor or pharmacist for help.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus often comes from hearing loss caused by age or noise exposure. Other causes include earwax blocking sound, middle ear problems, jaw (TMJ) issues, high blood pressure, or neck tension. Some medicines can trigger or worsen tinnitus — for example, high-dose aspirin, certain antibiotics (like aminoglycosides), some diuretics, and certain cancer drugs. If you start tinnitus after a new medication, check with your pharmacist or prescriber before stopping anything.

Not all tinnitus is the same. If the sound matches your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus), starts suddenly with hearing loss, or comes with dizziness or weakness, get medical attention quickly. Those signs can point to conditions that need fast treatment.

Practical ways to reduce the noise

Sound relief: Use low-level background sound to make the ringing less noticeable. A fan, soft radio music, or a white-noise app can help you sleep and relax. If you have hearing loss, a hearing aid often reduces tinnitus by restoring outside sounds.

Manage stress and sleep: Stress and lack of sleep make tinnitus feel worse. Try short breathing breaks, a predictable bedtime routine, and avoid screens right before bed. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven option to change how you react to the sound — therapists and online programs can guide you.

Protect your ears: Avoid loud environments or use good ear protection (earplugs or earmuffs) when you can’t avoid noise. Keep music volume below 60% on headphones and limit listening time.

Watch triggers: Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol affect some people’s tinnitus. Cut back for a few weeks to see if symptoms ease. Also manage blood pressure and blood sugar — controlling these can help if they’re contributing factors.

Medical help and treatments: There’s no one-size-fits-all cure, but options exist. Your doctor may check for earwax, middle-ear problems, or recommend a hearing test. For persistent cases, treatments include sound therapy, CBT, hearing aids, and specialist-led tinnitus retraining therapy. Drugs aren’t usually a first choice for chronic tinnitus, but your clinician will discuss options if needed.

Want a next step? Start with a hearing check and a medication review. Talk to your pharmacist about any drugs you take that could affect your ears. If your tinnitus interferes with sleep, work, or mood, ask for a referral to an ENT or audiologist — getting professional input early often makes a big difference.