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Aug. 14, 2025—Tinnitus is a common and potentially distressing condition. Most people who have tinnitus describe it as a ringing in the ears, but some people might hear other sounds, such as roaring or buzzing.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, there is, unfortunately, no cure for tinnitus, but there are some things that can help reduce or manage the symptoms.

See your doctor

If you start hearing sounds such as ringing in your ears, you should always begin with seeing your doctor. In some cases, addressing the cause of the problem (such as certain medications or an ear infection) can relieve symptoms. Your doctor can also refer you to a hearing specialist for additional help.

Use sound therapy

Some people feel that their tinnitus is worse when it's quiet. Sound therapy involves using background noise—such as music, the sound of water, sounds of nature and white noise—to drown out tinnitus. Sound therapy can be especially helpful for sleep.

Try hearing aids

Hearing aids are usually used for people who have hearing loss along with tinnitus. They can help you hear the sounds you want to hear, while making tinnitus less noticeable.

Try cognitive behavioral therapy

To learn skills to help lessen the effect that tinnitus has on your life, you can work with a therapist. They can teach you coping strategies, relaxation techniques and distraction skills. A therapist can also help with sleep, if you have trouble sleeping.

Manage stress

You might not be able to completely remove stress from your life, but managing it can help. Stress can cause tinnitus or make it worse. If you need help managing your stress, reach out to a therapist or your doctor. A technique called biofeedback is sometimes used. It teaches you to control your heart rate and breathing.

If you have depression, talk to your doctor

Depression is common in people with tinnitus, especially if it affects their quality of life. There is help available. You can start by talking to your doctor. It may also help to talk to a therapist.

Protect your hearing

Loud sounds can trigger tinnitus or make it worse. Make sure to keep your music and TV to a low volume. If you're around loud sounds, use hearing protection, such as earplugs.

Learn when and how to safeguard your hearing health.

Sources

• American Tinnitus Association. "Why Are My Ears Ringing?" https://www.ata.org/about-tinnitus/why-are-my-ears-ringing.
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. "Tinnitus." https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus.
• UpToDate. "Patient Education: Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears) (Beyond the Basics)." https://www.uptodate.com/contents/tinnitus-ringing-in-the-ears-beyond-the-basics.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Tinnitus Clinical Practice Guideline Work Group. "Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Tinnitus." https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/2831340.