Tinnitus fills your ears with sounds no one else hears. It’s a common issue affecting more than 50 million people in the United States. Tinnitus can be severe, affecting people’s daily lives. Tinnitus isn’t a disease. It’s a symptom of several medical conditions. Healthcare providers can’t cure tinnitus, but they can help manage its impact.
“Tinnitus” (pronounced “tin-NITE-us” or “TIN-ne-tus”) is the medical term for ringing in the ears. If you have tinnitus, sounds fill your head that no one else hears — like ringing, clicking, pulsing, humming or rushing. These sounds can be so soft you barely notice them or so loud that they seem to block out sounds in your environment. People with severe tinnitus might have trouble concentrating or sleeping. Over time, this can lead to frustration and depression.
Tinnitus isn’t a disease. It’s a symptom of several health conditions like ear injuries or age-related hearing loss. According to research, about 15% of the world’s population has it — including more than 50 million people in the United States. Anyone can get tinnitus, but it’s most common in people between the ages of 40 and 80.
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Experts don’t know exactly why some people have ringing in their ears and others don’t. But tinnitus is a common symptom of certain medical conditions.
Common tinnitus causes include:
Less common tinnitus risk factors include:
People with tinnitus may experience flare-ups after exposure to certain triggers like stress or sleep deprivation. As you can imagine, this can result in a frustrating cycle.
Tinnitus treatment depends on the cause. To learn more about the ringing in your ears, a healthcare provider (usually an audiologist) will do a physical examination and check your ears for any obvious issues. They’ll also ask about your medical history and whether you’ve had recent exposure to loud noises. Depending on your situation, they may refer you to an otolaryngologist. They can determine if you have any medical conditions affecting your ears.
Because tinnitus is a symptom of many conditions, providers may be able to treat it by addressing the underlying cause. But they may need to run tests to get an accurate diagnosis. These assessments might include:
You may also need an evaluation with a dentist to determine if tinnitus is a symptom of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
For many people, tinnitus sound therapy can be very effective in decreasing how noticeable or bothersome your tinnitus is over time. An audiologist might recommend that you:
Left untreated, ringing in your ears could lead to:
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Because tinnitus is a symptom of other health conditions, you can’t always prevent it. But you can take steps to protect your hearing, which can help reduce your risk. Hearing protection may be warranted:
You should also be mindful any time you wear headphones or earbuds. Protect your ears by keeping the volume low.
Audiologists can fit custom hearing protection. Consider seeing an audiologist for this service if you participate in one or more of these activities frequently.
You should schedule a visit with a healthcare provider if you have:
If you develop sudden hearing loss in addition to tinnitus, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider immediately. Treatment for sudden hearing loss is most effective within the first three days.
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Yes, you can. Tinnitus itself doesn’t shorten your life expectancy. But some underlying conditions, like heart disease, could affect your lifespan.
It’s not always apparent what causes tinnitus. But there are common links in some people:
If you have tinnitus in addition to these symptoms: | You might have: |
---|---|
Pain, ear drainage. | Ear infection. |
Dizziness, balance issues. | Ménière’s disease or a neurological condition. |
Jaw pain, headaches, facial pain. | Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. |
Noises that sound like your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus). | High blood pressure. |
Headaches, migraines, neck pain, changes in tinnitus with head/neck movements. | Cervical spine conditions. |
If you have tinnitus in addition to these symptoms: | |
Pain, ear drainage. | |
You might have: | |
Ear infection. | |
Dizziness, balance issues. | |
You might have: | |
Ménière’s disease or a neurological condition. | |
Jaw pain, headaches, facial pain. | |
You might have: | |
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. | |
Noises that sound like your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus). | |
You might have: | |
High blood pressure. | |
Headaches, migraines, neck pain, changes in tinnitus with head/neck movements. | |
You might have: | |
Cervical spine conditions. |
Having the above symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the corresponding conditions. If you notice something isn’t quite right, you should tell your healthcare provider so they can give you a proper diagnosis.
It depends on the cause. If your ears are ringing after you leave a loud concert, it’s probably temporary. But if you still have tinnitus after a week or two, there’s probably something else going on.
There’s no standard tinnitus cure. But providers can often treat underlying conditions and help you manage your symptoms.
If you have ringing in your ears, try to avoid:
Some experts believe that nutrition plays a role in whether people experience tinnitus. There’s limited research about this topic, but recent studies suggest that these foods and beverages may increase your risk for tinnitus:
Lots of people have tinnitus, or ringing in their ears, at some point in their lives. Most of the time, it’s temporary. But when the ringing in your ears continues day after day, week after week, it can become unbearable. Whether you have hearing-related tinnitus or there’s another factor at play, it’s important to see a healthcare provider — especially if symptoms last longer than a week or two. They can find out why your ears are ringing and recommend next steps.
Last reviewed on 12/04/2023.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy