Understanding TinnitusWhat Can Help My Ringing Ears?
Clarity. Confidence. Connection.™
You don’t have to live with the noise.
Ringing, buzzing or hissing that no one else can hear? You’re not alone—nearly 50 million Americans live with tinnitus. Our tinnitus experts find the most likely cause of yours and build a personalized plan for relief, including sound stimulation therapy and brain training.
Free tinnitus consultation at every HearBest clinic.
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Watch: How HearBest approaches tinnitus relief
Care from people who specialize in tinnitus
Judy Olson, AuDWhat is tinnitus?
Do you (or a loved one) experience a ringing or buzzing in your ears that no one else can hear? If so, you are not alone. Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no actual external noise is present—an audiological and neurological condition, and alongside hearing loss, one of the most common sensory conditions in the world.
While it’s commonly called “ringing in the ears,” tinnitus can sound like many things. In some rare cases, people report hearing music. It can be acute (temporary) or chronic (ongoing).
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Hissing
- Whistling
- “Crickets chirping”
- Clicking
50MAmerican adults experience tinnitus
1.5Bpeople worldwide
~90%of cases also involve some hearing loss
How tinnitus can affect daily life
Some people only notice it in quiet rooms; others hear it all day. For many, it’s far more than a minor inconvenience.
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impact on work performance
- Anxiety and depression
- Interference with hearing ability
Many causes, one first step
Tinnitus has multiple causes and can be temporary or permanent. In some cases, it’s a symptom of a more serious medical condition—which is why a professional evaluation matters.
Age-related changes & hearing loss
Age-related changes are the leading cause by a significant margin. Hearing loss—damage to the hearing nerve—is a major cause of tinnitus.
Exposure to loud noise
Sudden intense sounds, like explosions, or chronic exposure at work or play (musicians, construction workers and more) can temporarily or permanently damage hearing.
Medications & infections
Hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter medications list tinnitus as a possible side effect, including common pain relievers and some chemotherapy drugs. Viral infections, including COVID-19, can also play a role.
Other medical conditions (about 10% of cases)
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid disorders
- Vascular issues
- Jaw and ear disordersTMJ, otosclerosis, Ménière’s disease
- Structural abnormalities of the head and face
Other contributing factors
- Head or neck traumaCan injure the hearing system, increasing hearing loss and tinnitus
- StressCan cause or worsen tinnitus
- Earwax or eardrum blockageRestricted eardrum movement or wax build-up
- DietCutting back on stimulants like coffee and sugar may help
Why it happens: “central gain”
In roughly 90% of cases, the connections between the ear and brain have deteriorated. When the brain receives less sound from the ear, it compensates by turning up its own activity—and that extra activity is heard as phantom sound, much like the phantom limb sensations some amputees experience.
Effective ways to quiet the noise
Despite common misconceptions, effective treatments are available. There is no cure for tinnitus, but treatment can greatly diminish it, and sometimes resolve it altogether. Our tinnitus experts assess your situation, determine the most likely cause, and recommend the options most likely to bring you relief.
Sound stimulation therapy
Prescriptive, FDA-regulated technology designed to stimulate the ear-to-brain neural connections. Clinical studies from 2010 to 2020 show patients using this technology have a significant reduction in their daily tinnitus—with some reporting “the ringing is gone all day.”
Brain training
Brain training can enhance sound stimulation by giving the brain additional support. Research published in JAMA found a BrainHQ program significantly reduced patients’ perception of tinnitus.
- Tinnitus perception
- Memory
- Attention
- Concentration
“Researchers found that patients in the group with tinnitus had improvements in tinnitus perception, memory, attention, and concentration as compared with patients in the control group.”Dr. Piccirillo, JAMA Otolaryngology
Hearing aids & sound maskers
When needed, hearing aids treat both the hearing loss and the tinnitus. For most patients, they provide partial or complete relief. Explore tinnitus hearing aids.
Earwax removal
Earwax buildup is one cause of tinnitus. We can safely remove it, which can relieve or even resolve the tinnitus.
Medical referral
If our assessment suggests another medical issue may be causing your tinnitus, we’ll refer you to a physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Other approaches
Cognitive therapy may be recommended based on your evaluation, and some patients explore homeopathic or herbal remedies.
Tinnitus care in Indiana
We’ll schedule an evaluation to determine your hearing care needs, and we can even arrange a risk-free trial of hearing aids if needed. Tinnitus care is available at every HearBest clinic.