Hearing & Balance · Condition guide
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is hearing a sound, like ringing or buzzing, that has no outside source. It's very common, and with the right care most people find it bothers them far less.
At a glance
Also called ringing in the ears
- Very common, especially as hearing changes
- A symptom, not a disease on its own
- Most people start with a hearing test
- Rarely needs an MRI or CT scan
Get care right away if you have
Sudden hearing loss
Your hearing drops suddenly in one or both ears. Treatment works best when it starts early, so call us the same day.
Call us (541) 779-7331New nerve symptoms
Tinnitus with new dizziness, weakness, numbness, a drooping face, or trouble speaking. Call 911.
Call 911Thoughts of harming yourself
If tinnitus is wearing you down to that point, you are not alone. Call or text 988, any time, day or night.
Call or text 988
Understanding it
What it is and why it happens
Your ears and brain work as a team. When part of the hearing system changes, often from age or loud noise, the brain can fill the gap with a sound of its own. That's why tinnitus so often shows up alongside hearing loss, and why it can seem loudest in a quiet room at night.
For some people it's a faint background sound they rarely notice. For others it gets in the way of sleep, focus, or mood. Both are common, and both are worth talking about with us.
What people describe hearing
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Hissing
- Humming
- Roaring
- Clicking
- Whooshing
A whooshing that keeps time with your heartbeat is less common and is worth an exam.
Common contributors
Hearing loss
Age-related or noise-related hearing changes are the most common companion to tinnitus.
Loud noise
Concerts, power tools, engines, and firearms can bring it on or make it worse.
Earwax or infection
A blocked or inflamed ear can make tinnitus easier to notice. These are often simple to treat.
Jaw and neck
Jaw joint (TMJ) problems or neck tension can change the sound, especially when you move.
Some medicines
Certain medicines list tinnitus as a side effect. Don't stop a medicine without asking your prescriber.
Stress and poor sleep
They don't cause tinnitus, but they can turn up how loud and bothersome it feels.
Not an emergency, but worth a visit
Schedule a visit if
- It's only in one ear
- It pulses in time with your heartbeat
- It comes with hearing changes, ear fullness, or dizziness
- It's affecting your sleep, focus, or mood
- It hasn't faded after a few weeks
- You just want answers and a plan
At Oregon ENT Center
What happens at your visit
- 01
We listen
What you hear, when it started, one ear or both, and how it's affecting sleep, mood, and daily life.
- 02
We examine
Ears, head, neck, and jaw. We may ask whether the sound changes when you move your jaw or turn your head.
- 03
Hearing test
Done by our audiologists on the first floor. Many people with tinnitus have some hearing loss without realizing it.
- 04
Your plan
Most people don't need an MRI or CT. Scans are for specific signs, like tinnitus in one ear, pulsing, or uneven hearing loss.
Treatment options
What can help
These follow the latest national guideline from ENT specialists. Your own plan is tailored to you.
Education and counseling
Understanding what tinnitus is, and what it isn't, takes away much of the worry. For many people, that alone makes it easier to live with.
- Offered here
Hearing aids
When hearing improves, the brain has more real sound to focus on and the tinnitus fades into the background. Some models include built-in sound therapy.
Learn more Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Short-term counseling with a trained therapist that changes how you respond to the sound. It has strong evidence for less stress, better sleep, and less bother.
Sound enrichment
Soft background sound, like a fan, music, or nature sounds, makes tinnitus less noticeable, especially in quiet rooms and at bedtime.
Try it below- Offered here
Cochlear implants
For severe hearing loss, an implant can restore access to sound and make tinnitus easier to ignore.
Learn more Bimodal neuromodulation
A newer device that pairs sound through headphones with gentle tongue stimulation. It may help some people; research on long-term results is ongoing.
What guidelines advise against
These haven't been shown to help the condition itself, and some carry side effects or cost.
- Medicines used only for tinnitusAntidepressants, anti-anxiety, or anti-seizure medicines prescribed just to treat the sound.
- Ear injections for tinnitusMedicine injected through the eardrum hasn't been shown to help tinnitus itself.
- SupplementsProducts such as ginkgo biloba haven't been shown to help, and they can cost a lot over time.
- Magnetic brain stimulation (rTMS)Not recommended as a treatment for tinnitus.
If you take one of these medicines for another reason, such as depression or anxiety, keep taking it and talk with your clinician before making any change.
Try it now
Hear what soft background sound is like
Pick a sound and keep the volume low, just below your tinnitus, not over it. A fan or sound machine at home works the same way.
Starting today
Small habits that help
- 01
Add soft sound
A fan, quiet music, or a sound machine in quiet rooms and at bedtime.
- 02
Protect your ears
Wear earplugs or earmuffs around loud noise, and keep earbuds at a moderate volume.
- 03
Keep a steady sleep routine
Going to bed and waking at the same times helps your brain settle.
- 04
Slow your breathing
A few minutes of slow breathing or mindfulness can take the edge off a loud day.
- 05
Stay active
Exercise, time outside, and time with people all give the brain other things to focus on.
- 06
Stop checking for it
Listening for the sound keeps the brain tuned in. Gentle distraction helps it fade.
Before your visit
Questions to bring
Check the ones you want to ask, then print this page or bring your phone to the visit.
Common questions
What patients ask us
Is there a cure?
For most types, not yet. But treatment can make tinnitus much less noticeable and much less bothersome, and for many people it fades into the background over time.
Does tinnitus mean I'm going deaf?
No. Tinnitus doesn't cause hearing loss. It often travels with hearing loss, which is why a hearing test is usually the first step.
Why is it louder at night?
A quiet room gives it nothing to compete with. Soft background sound at bedtime helps for exactly that reason.
Is it all in my head?
The sound is real to you, even though no one else can hear it. It comes from how your hearing system and brain process sound. You're not imagining it.
Do I need an MRI?
Most people don't. Imaging is used when tinnitus is in one ear, pulses, comes with uneven hearing loss, or comes with new nerve symptoms.
Ready for answers?
Request a visit online, or call us during office hours. We'll help you take the next step.