NoiseCurbTinnitus is hearing ringing, buzzing or hissing with no outside source. It affects roughly 1 in 10 US adults and is most often linked to noise exposure or hearing loss. See a doctor the same day for sudden hearing loss, and within days for tinnitus in one ear only or tinnitus that pulses with your heartbeat. Treating hearing loss, sound therapy and CBT have the best evidence; supplements do not.
Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sound that has no outside source: ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, clicking or roaring. It is extremely common, and for most people it is manageable. It is also sometimes a sign of something that needs prompt medical attention. This guide explains what tinnitus is, what causes it, which symptoms mean you should see a doctor quickly, and what actually helps.
How common is it?
Very. The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that roughly 1 in 10 US adults, about 25 million people, have had tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year. A large 2022 global analysis put the figure at about 14% of adults worldwide, with around 2% severely affected. In the UK, the charity Tinnitus UK estimates that one in seven adults has tinnitus, with around 1.5 million experiencing it severely.
Among US military veterans, tinnitus is the most common service-connected disability, recorded for more than 3.5 million veterans. That reflects how strongly it is linked to loud noise. See tinnitus in veterans and VA claims.
What it feels like
Tinnitus varies a lot from person to person.
- It can be in one ear, both ears or seem to be inside your head.
- It can be constant, or come and go.
- It is often more noticeable in quiet rooms and at night.
- It can change with stress, tiredness, caffeine, loud noise or jaw and neck movement.
The main types
| Type | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Subjective tinnitus | Only you can hear it. By far the most common type. Usually linked to changes in the hearing system. | See a doctor or audiologist if it is new, persistent or bothersome. |
| Pulsatile tinnitus | A rhythmic sound that beats in time with your heart. | See a doctor. It can be linked to blood flow changes that should be checked. |
| Objective tinnitus | Rare. Someone else can hear it too, often muscle spasms or blood vessel sounds. | See a doctor to find the cause. |
| Somatic tinnitus | Changes when you move your jaw, head or neck. | A dentist, physical therapist or doctor may help. |
We cover the less common types in detail in pulsatile tinnitus: the red flags and somatic tinnitus.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. The most common causes are:
- Noise exposure. Loud music, concerts, power tools, firearms, motorsports and noisy workplaces. In a Tinnitus UK survey of people with tinnitus, about a third believed noise had triggered theirs. Our guide to safe decibel levels explains how much is too much.
- Age-related hearing loss. As the inner ear changes with age, the brain can "turn up the gain", and tinnitus appears.
- Earwax blockage. A simple, fixable cause. Do not dig with cotton swabs; see earwax, ear cleaning and earplug use.
- Ear infections and middle ear problems.
- Some medicines. Certain drugs can cause or worsen tinnitus. Never stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor. See medications that can cause tinnitus.
- Jaw joint (TMJ) and neck problems.
- Head or neck injury.
- Less often, conditions such as Ménière's disease or, rarely, a benign growth on the hearing nerve, which is one reason one-sided tinnitus should be checked.
When to see a doctor, and how quickly
See a doctor within days if:
- The tinnitus is in one ear only.
- It pulses in time with your heartbeat.
- It comes with ear pain, discharge or a feeling of fullness.
- You also notice hearing loss or dizziness that comes and goes.
Book a routine appointment if:
- Tinnitus has lasted more than a week or two.
- It bothers your sleep, concentration or mood.
Our guide to sudden hearing loss explains why timing matters so much.
What a doctor or audiologist will do
A typical assessment includes questions about your history, a look in your ears, a hearing test and sometimes a questionnaire about how much the tinnitus affects you. Guidelines say scans are not needed routinely; they are reserved for tinnitus in one ear only, tinnitus that pulses, uneven hearing loss or other neurological signs. Many people with tinnitus have some hearing loss they had not noticed, and treating it can reduce how much the tinnitus stands out. How to read an audiogram explains the hearing test results.
Does it go away?
Often, yes, especially if it followed a loud event. Temporary ringing after a concert usually fades within hours or days. Tinnitus that lasts for months is less likely to disappear completely, but it very often becomes much less noticeable as the brain learns to tune it out. See does tinnitus go away? for realistic timelines.
What actually helps
There is no pill that cures most tinnitus, but several approaches have good evidence for reducing how much it bothers you.
| Approach | What it does | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Treating hearing loss | Hearing aids make outside sounds louder so tinnitus stands out less | Helpful for many people with hearing loss |
| Sound therapy | Low-level background sound reduces contrast, especially in quiet rooms | Widely used; helps comfort and sleep |
| Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) | Changes how you react to tinnitus, reducing distress | Among the strongest evidence for reducing tinnitus distress |
| Tinnitus retraining therapy | Combines sound therapy with counseling | Mixed but supportive evidence |
| Bimodal neuromodulation (Lenire) | Sound plus mild tongue stimulation | FDA De Novo authorization in March 2023. Offered by specialist clinics in the US and parts of Europe, and in Canada since April 2026. Published results so far come mainly from the company and clinics; it is not a cure and is usually paid out of pocket. |
The details are in tinnitus relief: what actually helps, sound therapy for tinnitus and CBT for tinnitus.
Sleeping with tinnitus
Tinnitus often feels loudest when you go to bed, because the room is quiet. A soft background sound such as a fan, rain or pink noise set just below the level of your tinnitus can make a big difference. How to sleep with tinnitus walks through a bedtime routine.
Protecting your ears from here
Whatever the cause, protecting your ears from loud noise helps prevent tinnitus from getting worse. Wear earplugs at concerts, use hearing protection with power tools and firearms, and keep headphone volume moderate. Our hearing protection guide explains what to use.
Your mind matters too
Tinnitus can wear down sleep, focus and mood, and that is a real part of the condition, not a sign of weakness. Talking to your doctor about how it affects you is as important as the hearing test. Support groups, CBT and good sleep habits all help. If you ever feel overwhelmed, reach out to someone today; the support numbers at the top of this page are free.
The short version
- Tinnitus is common, and most people find it becomes less intrusive over time.
- Sudden hearing loss, one-sided or pulsing tinnitus, and tinnitus after a head injury need prompt medical care.
- Treating hearing loss, sound therapy and CBT have the best evidence.
- Be skeptical of products that promise a cure.
Questions people ask
Is tinnitus serious?
Usually not dangerous, but it can affect sleep and mood, and it is sometimes a sign of a problem that needs attention. Sudden hearing loss, one-sided or pulsing tinnitus, and tinnitus after a head injury should be checked promptly.
Can tinnitus go away on its own?
Often, especially after a loud event, when ringing usually fades within hours or days. Long-lasting tinnitus is less likely to vanish completely but commonly becomes much less noticeable over time.
What kind of doctor treats tinnitus?
Start with your primary care doctor or an audiologist. You may be referred to an ENT specialist, especially for one-sided tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus or hearing loss.
Do tinnitus supplements work?
The American Academy of Otolaryngology guideline advises against recommending supplements such as ginkgo biloba, melatonin or zinc for tinnitus. Be skeptical of any product that promises a cure.
Why is my tinnitus louder at night?
Because the room is quieter, so there is less outside sound to mask it. A soft background sound set just below the level of your tinnitus often helps.
Sources
- Tinnitus prevalence, associated characteristics and healthcare use in the United States (2024) · The Lancet Regional Health - Americaschecked
- Tinnitus · NIDCDchecked
- Sudden deafness · NIDCDchecked
- About tinnitus and Tinnitus UK · Tinnitus UKchecked
- Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus · AAO-HNS Foundationchecked
- Clinical practice guideline: sudden hearing loss (update) · AAO-HNS Foundationchecked
- Annual Benefits Report FY2025: compensation · US Department of Veterans Affairschecked
- Neuromod newsroom: 2026 Lenire launches · Neuromod Devices
This guide is general information, not medical advice. For sudden hearing loss, pain, discharge, dizziness or ringing in one ear only, see a doctor promptly. Medical disclaimer.