How to Treat Tinnitus

Co-authored by Payam Daneshrad, MD

Tinnitus is characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears. Exposure to loud noises, earwax blockages, heart or blood vessel issues, prescription medications, and thyroid disorders can all cause tinnitus. See your doctor for an accurate diagnosis, and work with them to develop a treatment plan. In many cases, tinnitus is irreversible, but there are several ways to reduce its severity. For instance, sound generators, hearing aids, and medication can help mask ringing or buzzing.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Payam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.} Tinnitus research is a constantly evolving field, and you might be able to try experimental therapies as well.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Relieving Tinnitus Symptoms

1
Mask ringing and buzzing with sound generators.^{[2]
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Payam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.} Sound generators drown out ringing and buzzing with white noise, relaxing sounds, or soft music. Options include small, in-ear devices, headphones, and white noise machines. You could also try using household items, such as an air conditioner, air purifier, fan, or a television on low volume.^{[3]
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- Although sound therapy doesn’t cure tinnitus, it could make your symptoms less noticeable, improve your concentrate, and help you fall asleep.
- Medical-grade sound therapy devices can be expensive, and aren’t covered by insurance plans. If you need a more affordable solution, find environmental sounds or soft, relaxing music on music or video streaming services.
- Stable, neutral sounds, such as white noise (which sounds like a steady “Shhh”), are more effective than sounds with varying intensities, such as waves.^{[4]
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2
Manage hearing loss and mask tinnitus with hearing aids.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Payam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.} If you experience hearing loss, hearing aids can mask ringing or buzzing by increasing the volume of outside sounds. Have your primary doctor refer you to an audiologist, or hearing specialist. They can help you select and get fit for hearing aids.^{[6]
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- If you don’t experience hearing loss, you can also get hearing aids or implants that stimulate the auditory nerve or mask ringing and buzzing with white noise.
- Though hearing aids are expensive, most insurance plans cover basic hearing aids.
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3
Discuss antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs with your doctor.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Payam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.} Psychoactive drugs can reduce your symptoms’ severity, help relieve tinnitus-related insomnia, and make it easier to cope with tinnitus. These medications are most effective for serious cases of tinnitus, in which symptoms trigger stress, anxiety, and depression.^{[8]
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- Stress, anxiety, and depression can worsen tinnitus. These emotions and tinnitus can form a circular relationship, or trigger and worsen each other. If you experience this circular effect, your doctor might recommend an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication.
- Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications may cause undesirable side effects, such as blurred vision, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, irritability, and lower sex drive. Tell your doctor about any side effects or new or unusual symptoms, such as depression, suicidal thoughts, or aggression.
4
Find a counselor who’s knowledgeable about managing tinnitus. A therapist can help you cope with tinnitus and deal with its impact on your quality of life. Therapy is usually used in combination with some other form of tinnitus treatment, such as medication or sound therapy.^{[9]
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- Search for experienced counselors and other healthcare professionals on the American Tinnitus Association’s provider listing at https://www.ata.org/providers.
5
Ask your doctor about experimental therapies. No cure for tinnitus has been found but research is ongoing, so you should be open to experimental therapies. Electronic and magnetic stimulation of the brain and nerves might correct the overactive nerve signals that cause tinnitus.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Payam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.} These techniques are still in development, so ask your doctor or hearing specialist if trying one might be right for you.^{[11]
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Research source}
- New medications might also become available in the near future, so ask your doctor or hearing specialist to keep you updated about emerging therapies.^{[12]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Managing Tinnitus with Lifestyle Changes

1
Limit your exposure to loud noises. Exposure to loud noises can trigger and worsen your symptoms.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Payam Daneshrad, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.} Wear protective ear plugs or muffs if you work in a noisy environment, when you use power tools, while doing yard work, when you vacuum, or when you perform any other noisy task.^{[14]
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2
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Regular cardiovascular exercise is especially helpful, so try walking, running, cycling, and swimming. In addition to benefiting your overall health, exercise can improve blood flow, which might help relieve forms of tinnitus linked to heart or blood circulation issues.^{[15]
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- Staying active is also good for your emotional health.
- If you don’t exercise regularly, consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have a history of any medical issues.
3
Try meditation and relaxation techniques. Stress can aggravate tinnitus, so take deep breaths and relax if you start to feel anxious, worried, or overwhelmed. Count to 4 as you breathe in slowly, hold your breath for a 4 count, then count to 4 as you slowly exhale. Continue to control your breathing for 1 to 2 minutes, or until you feel at ease.^{[16]
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- Visualize relaxing scenery as you breathe, such as a beach or a calming childhood memory.
- Do your best to avoid stressful situations and people. If you have a lot on your plate, don’t take on new responsibilities or stretch yourself too thin.
- Taking yoga or martial arts classes can also help promote mindfulness and relaxation. Taking a class adds a social component, which could improve your overall mindset.
4
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Try cutting back on alcohol, and limit your consumption of caffeinated coffee and tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. These substances can affect your blood flow and aggravate tinnitus. Nicotine is especially harmful, so ask your doctor for advice about quitting tobacco products, if necessary.^{[17]
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- Cutting back on caffeine is also helpful if you have trouble falling asleep due to tinnitus.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Treating Underlying Conditions

1
See your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Tinnitus is characterized by ringing or buzzing in your ears. However, it is a symptom, not an actual disease, so schedule a checkup to find the underlying cause. Your doctor can perform a physical exam and test your hearing. ^{[18]
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- Possible causes of tinnitus include exposure to loud noises, earwax blockages, heart or blood vessel issues, prescription medications, and thyroid disorders.
2
Get a referral if necessary. While you can see your family doctor or primary care provider for tinnitus, they may refer you to audiologist, which is a hearing specialist, or an ENT, which is an ear, nose, and throat doctor. These specialists will be better equipped to create a long-term management plan for tinnitus.
3
Tell your doctor if you’re frequently exposed to loud noises. Hearing damaged due to loud noises is a common cause of tinnitus. You’re at a higher risk of experiencing tinnitus if you work in a factory, work in construction or use power tools, attend concerts regularly, are a musician, or are exposed to explosive blasts.^{[19]
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- Letting your doctor know about any exposure to loud noises can help them rule out other medical conditions.
4
Discuss any medications you take with your doctor. Over 200 medications are known to cause or aggravate tinnitus. Examples include some antibiotics, medications for cancer, antimalarial drugs, and diuretics. If you take any medications, ask your doctor if they recommend reducing your dosage or finding an alternative with fewer side effects.^{[20]
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5
Have your doctor irrigate your ear if you have earwax buildup. Built-up earwax blocks the ear canal and causes hearing loss, irritation, and tinnitus. If necessary, have your doctor irrigate your ear canal using medicated drops or a special suction device.^{[21]
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- Don’t attempt to irrigate your own ears without consulting your doctor. You might be able to try home remedies, such as applying baby oil or hydrogen peroxide with a dropper. However, you should only attempt these treatments with your doctor’s approval.
- Don’t clean your ears with cotton swabs, as these can irritate your ears and push earwax further into your ear canal.
6
Manage blood pressure or blood vessel issues, if necessary. Your doctor will prescribe medication for tinnitus related to high blood pressure or other circulatory issue. Take any medication as directed, and ask your doctor if you need to make any dietary or lifestyle changes.^{[22]
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- For example, you might need to limit your salt intake. Use dry or fresh herbs instead of salt when you cook, avoid salty snacks, and don’t add extra salt to your food. Your doctor might also recommend cutting your fat intake and exercising more.
7
Take medication for a thyroid disorder, if necessary. Tinnitus can be related to both hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, and hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. Your doctor can check for swelling or lumps in your thyroid gland, which is in your throat, and order blood screens to test its function. If they find an issue, they’ll prescribe medication to regulate your thyroid hormone levels.^{[23]
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- Thyroid medications usually need to be taken at specific times of the day and on an empty stomach. If you need to take one, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.