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Tinnitus: what causes it, when to see a doctor, and what actually helps

By · Updated · Facts checked Oct 27, 2026

Tinnitus is hearing a sound, often ringing, buzzing or roaring, that has no outside source. It is common: the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) says surveys put it at 10% to 25% of adults. Most people who have it also have some hearing loss. There is no cure yet, but hearing aids, sound therapy and counseling such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can make it less bothersome. No supplement has been proven to work.

On this page
  1. What tinnitus is
  2. Common causes
  3. When to see a doctor quickly
  4. Treatments with evidence
  5. What research says about supplements for tinnitus
  6. Everyday steps that may help

What tinnitus is

Tinnitus can sound like ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling, humming, clicking, hissing or squealing. It may be in one ear, both ears or "in your head". It can be soft or loud, and it can come and go or be there all the time. When it lasts three months or longer, doctors call it chronic.

The NIDCD explains one leading theory. Damage in the inner ear changes the signals sent to the brain. The brain's hearing area then produces the "phantom" sound. So although it feels like it comes from your ear, the sound is generated in the brain.

For most people, tinnitus is not a sign of a serious illness. But it can affect sleep, mood and concentration, and in severe cases it can lead to anxiety or depression.

Common causes

The NIDCD links tinnitus to:

  • Hearing loss, from aging or loud noise. This is the strongest link.
  • Loud noise, at work, concerts, sporting events or from firearms.
  • Medicines, especially at high doses. Examples include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin, some antibiotics, cancer drugs, antimalarials and antidepressants.
  • Earwax or an ear infection blocking the ear canal.
  • Head or neck injuries.

Less common causes include Ménière's disease, jaw joint (TMJ) problems, a benign tumor on the hearing nerve (acoustic neuroma), blood vessel problems such as high blood pressure, and conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, anemia and migraine. MedlinePlus adds that alcohol, caffeine and smoking may make existing tinnitus worse. Some people develop tinnitus with no known cause.

When to see a doctor quickly

Some ear symptoms need prompt care. Do not wait to see if a supplement helps.

  • Sudden hearing loss. The NIDCD says to treat sudden hearing loss as a medical emergency and see a doctor immediately. It often affects one ear and may come with ringing, a "pop", fullness or dizziness. Treatment works best when started early. Delays of more than two to four weeks make it less likely to help.
  • Tinnitus in one ear only. MedlinePlus advises seeing a provider if the noise is in one ear and lasts several weeks or more. The NIDCD notes that sudden hearing loss in one ear should be checked for a tumor on the hearing nerve.
  • A pulsing sound in time with your heartbeat. This is called pulsatile tinnitus. It may have a blood vessel cause, and doctors often order imaging tests.
  • Tinnitus with dizziness, loss of balance, nausea or vomiting.

For everyday tinnitus, the NIDCD suggests starting with your primary care doctor, who may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) and an audiologist for a hearing test.

Treatments with evidence

If a doctor finds a cause, such as earwax or a jaw problem, treating it can reduce or end the tinnitus. For everyone else, these are the main options.

Hearing aids and sound therapy

The NIDCD calls hearing aids one of the main treatment options for people with tinnitus and hearing loss. They make outside sounds louder, which can make the tinnitus less noticeable. Other sound therapy options include bedside sound machines or apps, wearable sound generators, and combination devices.

The research is still thin. A 2018 Cochrane review of eight studies (590 people) found that people using hearing aids or sound generators had less bothersome tinnitus. But there were no good studies comparing devices with no device, so it could not show that sound therapy beats education alone. A 2014 Cochrane review of hearing aids alone found only one trial.

In short, hearing aids are a reasonable first step if you also have hearing loss. Get a hearing test to find out.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT does not remove the sound. It changes how much the sound bothers you. A 2020 Cochrane review pooled 28 studies with 2,733 adults. CBT may reduce the impact of tinnitus on quality of life compared with no treatment, and it probably does so better than standard audiology care. It may also ease depression slightly. Serious side effects were rare. CBT is offered in person and online.

Tinnitus retraining therapy and medicines

Tinnitus retraining therapy combines counseling with low-level sound to help you stop noticing the tinnitus. There are no FDA-approved medicines for tinnitus, but a doctor may treat related sleep problems, anxiety or depression.

What research says about supplements for tinnitus

Many supplements are sold for ringing in the ears. The NIDCD is direct: vitamins, herbal extracts and supplements are often advertised as cures, but none has been proven to be effective.

The two most studied ingredients are ginkgo and zinc:

  • Ginkgo biloba. A 2013 Cochrane review of four trials (1,543 people) found no evidence that ginkgo helps when tinnitus is the main complaint. NCCIH agrees that ginkgo does not appear helpful for tinnitus.
  • Zinc. A 2016 Cochrane review of three trials (209 people) found no evidence that oral zinc improves tinnitus in adults.

A University of Iowa survey of 1,788 people with tinnitus found that among supplement users, 70.7% noticed no effect and 10.3% said their tinnitus got worse. About 6% reported side effects such as bleeding, diarrhea and headache. The authors said supplements should not be recommended to treat tinnitus, though some, such as melatonin, may help sleep for some people.

If you are still thinking about a supplement, check its label and ask your pharmacist about interactions. Ginkgo, for example, may raise bleeding risk with blood thinners. Our reviews look at three products sold for hearing:

  • Audifort review: a liquid drop with 20+ ingredients in one 200 mg blend.
  • Zeneara review: ginkgo, zinc, passionflower and valerian capsules, no doses shown.
  • SonoVive review: label doses shown, but its largest ingredient, St. John's wort, has many drug interactions.

Everyday steps that may help

  • Protect your ears from loud noise with earplugs or earmuffs. The NIDCD lists limiting loud noise as a way to avoid making tinnitus worse.
  • Use background sound at night, such as a fan or a sound app, if silence makes the ringing louder.
  • Watch caffeine and alcohol, which MedlinePlus says may worsen tinnitus.
  • Learn about it. The NIDCD says knowing that tinnitus is usually not a sign of serious illness can ease anxiety.

FAQ

Can tinnitus go away on its own?

Sometimes. The NIDCD says tinnitus may improve or even go away over time, but in some people it gets worse. If a cause such as earwax is found and treated, it may stop.

Is ringing in one ear serious?

Usually not, but it should be checked. See a doctor if it lasts several weeks, and right away if it comes with sudden hearing loss or dizziness.

Do any supplements help tinnitus?

No supplement has been proven to work, according to the NIDCD. Cochrane reviews found no clear benefit from ginkgo or zinc.

What is the best treatment for tinnitus?

There is no single cure. For people with hearing loss, hearing aids are a main option. For reducing how much tinnitus bothers you, CBT has the most trials behind it: 28 studies in one Cochrane review.

Sources

Research and official pages used in this guide, last checked Oct 27, 2026. Product details come from the seller's own website; health claims are checked against studies and health agencies.

  1. NIDCD (NIH): Tinnitus
  2. NIDCD (NIH): Sudden deafness
  3. MedlinePlus: Ear noise or buzzing
  4. MedlinePlus: Tinnitus
  5. Fuller T. et al. Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2020
  6. Sereda M. et al. Sound therapy (using amplification devices and/or sound generators) for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2018
  7. Hoare DJ et al. Amplification with hearing aids for patients with tinnitus and co-existing hearing loss. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2014
  8. Hilton MP et al. Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2013
  9. Person OC et al. Zinc supplementation for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2016
  10. Coelho C. et al. Survey on the effectiveness of dietary supplements to treat tinnitus. Am J Audiol, 2016
  11. NCCIH (NIH): Ginkgo

Health note: this page is for information only and is not medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant, or have a health condition.

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