Can Tinnitus Go Away? Understanding Causes, Relief, and When To See a Doctor

Tinnitus is a common and uncomfortable condition that can significantly affect one’s quality of life. Can tinnitus go away? The best person to answer that is an otolaryngologist, or ENT specialist. Not everyone with tinnitus needs to see a specialist. With a better understanding of your condition, what might be causing it, and relief strategies, you can decide when to turn to an ENT.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is when you hear a sound that isn’t coming from an external source. No one else can hear it. Tinnitus is very common, affecting about 50 million people in the U.S. It can be mild, but about 20% of people with tinnitus experience complications and a negative impact on their quality of life.

What Are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is often referred to as “ringing in the ears,” but it can be a range of sounds, including buzzing, roaring, whistling, clicking, humming, or squealing. The sound may be low-pitched or high-pitched. It may come and go or be constantly present. In some people, moving or touching certain body parts changes sounds.

What Causes Tinnitus?

The exact causes of tinnitus are not known, but it is more common in people with certain factors: hearing loss, past noise exposure, ear blockages, and head or neck injuries.

Some medications might cause or contribute to tinnitus. Rare tinnitus risk factors include jaw conditions, specific tumors, blood vessel problems, and chronic conditions, like diabetes.

Can Stress Cause Tinnitus?

Stress is a common triggering factor for tinnitus. It can also worsen symptoms of tinnitus. Anything you can do to manage or reduce stress can potentially reduce symptoms. Stress can also be a complication of tinnitus. Tinnitus can be worsened or triggered by other mental health symptoms, like depression or anxiety, which are, again, also complications of tinnitus.

Can Ear Wax Cause Tinnitus?

Excessive ear wax is another triggering and worsening factor for tinnitus. Other ear conditions, like infections, can cause ringing. An ENT specialist can determine if you have an ear wax blockage or infection that is causing tinnitus and then provide treatment.

How Long Does Tinnitus Last?

Unfortunately, there is no real cure for tinnitus, but that doesn’t mean it will last forever. For many people, tinnitus resolves on its own. Persistent or chronic tinnitus lasts for six months or longer and usually requires treatment to alleviate it or help you cope with it better.

How To Get Relief From Tinnitus

Treatments for tinnitus focus on one of two different goals: to reduce the sounds by addressing underlying causes or to lessen the impact of the sounds if they cannot be reduced. These are some proven useful ways to manage your tinnitus:

• Sound therapy and sound generators, either through an app on your phone or in wearable devices that fit in the ear
• Cognitive behavioral therapy or tinnitus retraining therapy
• Meditation and other relaxation strategies
• Medications for depression, anxiety, or sleep
• Treatment of underlying causes, like excessive ear wax or infections

Can Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus?

If your tinnitus is related to hearing loss, a hearing aid can definitely help you see improvements. It increases external sounds, so you can better hear things around you, while also drowning out some of the tinnitus sounds.

Are There Natural Remedies for Tinnitus?

You might see vitamins for tinnitus ringing in the ears, but beware of any so-called “magic pill.” There is no natural cure for ringing in the ears, but some studies have looked at popular supplements or vitamins:

• Ginkgo biloba. This is the most commonly used supplement for tinnitus. Results are mixed, but some people see relief when taking it, maybe because it increases blood flow in the inner ear.
• Zinc. Studies mostly show no difference between taking zinc or a placebo, but it might help patients with a zinc deficiency.
• Vitamin B12. A few early studies have found positive benefits for tinnitus patients supplementing with B12, which the body cannot make on its own. A B12 deficiency might contribute to tinnitus.
• Melatonin. This hormone is involved in sleep and is a popular supplement. It might help you sleep better if you have tinnitus.
• Magnesium. Early studies show magnesium might improve ear function and improve your perception of tinnitus.
• Lipoflavonoid. This is a widely advertised supplement for tinnitus, but beware the claims. Only one clinical trial has tested it, and it did not show any evidence for managing tinnitus.

Talk to your doctor before taking any new supplement or vitamin. There may be reasons you should not use a supplement even if it is generally considered safe.

When Is It Time To See a Specialist for Tinnitus?

If you have ringing or other sounds that persist for a week or more, or from which you can’t get relief, it’s a good idea to see an ENT specialist. They can determine if you have an underlying cause that should be treated. They can also help you get relief or manage ongoing tinnitus with no obvious cause.

Learn more about tinnitus, other related conditions, and how an ear, nose, and throat specialist can help you get relief.