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Tinnitus

Ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ears that no one else can hear. There is no cure yet, but hearing aids, sound therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can lessen its impact — and sudden hearing loss or a stroke sign with ringing is an emergency.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if ringing or other ear noise comes with any of these:

  • a recent head injury;
  • sudden hearing loss, weakness of the face muscles, or a spinning feeling (vertigo) (NHS); or
  • any stroke sign: sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance; sudden trouble seeing; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side; sudden confusion or trouble speaking; or a sudden severe headache with no known cause (CDC).

Use B.E. F.A.S.T.: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time to call 911. Don’t drive yourself or let someone else drive you; an ambulance crew can start care on the way (CDC). Bring your medicines with you (NHS). See our Stroke guide and Head Trauma guide.

Sudden hearing loss needs a doctor right away — the same day if you can. Hearing that drops all at once or over a few days, sometimes with ear fullness, dizziness or ringing, should be treated as a medical emergency, because delay can make treatment less effective (NIDCD).

Ringing that beats in time with your pulse calls for an urgent appointment with a clinician (NHS). Pulsing tinnitus often has an identifiable, treatable cause (NIDCD).

If tinnitus has you thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline is free, confidential and open 24/7 (988 Lifeline).

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound that has no outside source, so other people can’t hear it. It is often described as ringing, but some people hear roaring, buzzing, whistling, humming, clicking, hissing or squealing. It can be in one ear, both ears or the head; soft or loud; low or high pitched; and constant or coming and going (NIDCD). When it lasts three months or longer it is called chronic (NIDCD).

Tinnitus is only rarely linked to a serious medical problem and usually isn’t severe enough to interfere with daily life, but some people find it affects their mood, sleep or concentration, and in severe cases it can lead to anxiety or depression (NIDCD). There is currently no cure, but there are ways to reduce symptoms (NIDCD).

How common is it?

Surveys estimate that 10% to 25% of adults have tinnitus, and children can have it too. For children and adults it may improve or even go away over time, though in some cases it gets worse (NIDCD). It is also the most common service-related disability among veterans, linked to loud noise from gunfire, machinery and blasts (NIDCD).

What causes it?

The exact causes aren’t fully understood, and some people develop tinnitus for no known reason. Most people who have it have some degree of hearing loss (NIDCD). Tinnitus has been linked to:

Less common links include Ménière’s disease, jaw joint problems, tumors on the hearing nerve, blood vessel problems, and chronic conditions such as diabetes, migraines, thyroid disorders, anemia, lupus and multiple sclerosis (NIDCD). A leading theory is that damage to the inner ear changes the signals sent to the brain’s sound areas, so the phantom sound is actually generated by the brain (NIDCD).

Different kinds of tinnitus

  • Subjective tinnitus, which only you can hear, is by far the most common.
  • Pulsatile (objective) tinnitus is rare: the sound beats rhythmically, often in time with the heartbeat, and a doctor may be able to hear it with a stethoscope (NIDCD).
  • Somatosensory tinnitus changes when you move your head, neck or eyes or touch parts of your body (NIDCD). See “Jaw and neck links” below.

How it’s diagnosed

Start with your primary care doctor, who will check for earwax or ear-infection fluid and ask about your history and medicines. You may then see an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) and an audiologist, who can measure your hearing and evaluate the tinnitus. Imaging such as MRI, CT or ultrasound may be ordered, especially if the tinnitus pulsates (NIDCD).

The U.S. ear, nose and throat guidelines say clinicians should separate bothersome tinnitus from non-bothersome tinnitus, and should not order imaging just to look into tinnitus unless there are concerning features (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026). The 2014 version called for a prompt hearing test when tinnitus is in one ear only, lasts six months or longer, or comes with hearing difficulty (AAO-HNS guideline, 2014). If a cause such as earwax or a jaw joint problem is found and treated, symptoms can be eliminated or greatly reduced; for many people, though, they last months or years (NIDCD).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Check for earwax and medicines, a hearing test, tinnitus education, hearing aids when there is hearing loss, sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and treatment of any underlying cause. There is no tinnitus-specific drug. Self-pay hearing evaluation about $100–$300. Medicare Part B covers hearing exams a provider orders (20% after the deductible) but not hearing aids. One prescription sound-and-stimulation device runs about $3,850–$4,500 at clinics. Other costs being researched. Nothing makes tinnitus vanish for everyone, but CBT, hearing aids and sound-based programs consistently lessen its impact in reviews. Supplements, antidepressants and magnetic stimulation are not recommended for routine use.
Chiropractic Neck or jaw-area hands-on care for tinnitus that changes with head, neck or jaw movement (somatosensory tinnitus). Without insurance, about $90–$200 for a first visit and $55–$100 for follow-ups. We found little research on chiropractic manipulation for tinnitus. Small trials of physical-therapy-style neck and jaw programs report improvement in selected people. Neck manipulation carries a rare risk of artery tears and stroke.
Acupuncture Fine needles, sometimes with electrical stimulation or heat, aimed at reducing the ringing and its impact. About $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90. Reviews often report benefit, but the trials are small and mostly low quality, and the U.S. guideline made no recommendation either way. Safe when done with sterile needles.
Herbal medicine Ginkgo, zinc and other supplements are widely advertised for tinnitus. Cost estimate being researched. None has been proven to work. Research suggests ginkgo doesn’t relieve tinnitus, a Cochrane review found no evidence zinc helps, and the guideline advises against supplements. Ginkgo may raise bleeding risk with blood thinners.
Massage therapy Relaxation and relief of tight neck, shoulder and jaw muscles; not a treatment for the ear itself. At one national chain, about $125–$160 for a 60-minute massage for non-members and $65–$90 for members; memberships about $70–$90 a month. We found little research on massage for tinnitus itself. It may help you relax and may briefly ease neck pain; muscle-focused physical therapy has shown promise for tinnitus tied to the neck or jaw.
MBHA Wellness Coach Understanding tinnitus, protecting your hearing, a sound-friendly home and sleep routine, relaxation, tracking what helps, preparing for appointments and finding support. MBHA coaching cost estimate being researched. Practical help living with tinnitus alongside your care team. Education, relaxation and mindfulness are studied, with encouraging but limited results.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

There is no cure for tinnitus, and no medication is approved by the FDA to treat it (NIDCD). The goal is to lessen its impact, and to find and treat any cause. A 2026 umbrella review of 44 systematic reviews found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), hearing aids, tinnitus retraining therapy and sound or music therapy consistently improved tinnitus-related outcomes, while other treatments showed mixed evidence (umbrella review, 2026).

1. First steps: wax, medicines and a hearing test

Earwax or ear-infection fluid blocking the canal can trigger tinnitus, and some medicines can cause it, so a clinician will look in your ears and review your medicines (NIDCD). The 2026 guideline also calls for a comprehensive audiological (hearing) evaluation (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026).

2. Education and counseling

Learning that tinnitus is rarely linked to a serious condition can reduce anxiety, and counseling teaches coping strategies, such as limiting loud noise (NIDCD). The 2026 guideline recommends educating people about what to expect and their options (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026).

3. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT teaches you to notice distressing thoughts and change your response to them, and studies show it can improve well-being (NIDCD). A Cochrane review of 28 studies (2,733 adults) found that CBT may reduce tinnitus’s impact on quality of life compared with no treatment (low certainty), and probably does so more than usual audiological care (moderate certainty). Serious side effects appeared rare, and CBT may slightly lessen depression. There was no evidence at 6 or 12 months (Cochrane review, 2020). The 2026 U.S. guideline recommends CBT for persistent, bothersome tinnitus (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026), and the NHS usually offers online (digital) CBT first (NHS). A 2025 review of 37 trials of online therapies found large improvements in tinnitus distress, though the studies varied in quality and had high drop-out rates, and the authors saw online therapy as a supporting component when therapists are involved (review, 2025).

4. Hearing aids and cochlear implants

Hearing aids are one of the main options for people with tinnitus and hearing loss: they amplify outside sounds and make tinnitus less noticeable (NIDCD). Over-the-counter aids are meant for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss; prescription aids are programmed by a hearing professional (NIDCD). The guideline recommends a hearing aid evaluation if you have hearing difficulty and bothersome tinnitus, and a cochlear implant evaluation if you meet hearing criteria (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026). Be aware that the trial evidence is thin: Cochrane found only one trial (91 people) of hearing aids for tinnitus, with both hearing aids and sound generators associated with benefit and no difference between them (Cochrane review, 2014). The 2026 umbrella review found cochlear implants had the largest effects, but they are reserved for people with moderate-to-profound hearing loss who aren’t helped enough by hearing aids (umbrella review, 2026).

5. Sound therapy

Sound therapy may help by masking tinnitus, helping you get used to it or distracting you. Options include tabletop or smartphone sound generators, ear-level sound generators and combination devices that amplify and generate sound; a radio or household fan can serve too (NIDCD). The guideline says clinicians may recommend sound enrichment (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026). An 8-study Cochrane review (590 adults) found no evidence that sound therapy beats a waiting list, placebo or information alone, and the evidence was low quality (Cochrane review, 2018).

6. Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)

TRT combines counseling with continuous low-level sound from an ear-worn device, to help the brain reclassify tinnitus as neutral (NIDCD). A Cochrane review found a single low-quality trial (123 people) in which TRT worked better than masking (Cochrane review, 2010). The NHS says it is unclear whether TRT works for everyone and that it is widely available privately (NHS).

7. Medicines and devices

Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines to ease mood or help you sleep (NIDCD), but the 2026 guideline advises against routinely using antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics or eardrum injections to treat bothersome tinnitus itself, and against repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026). Cochrane found insufficient evidence that antidepressants improve tinnitus, with sedation, sexual dysfunction and dry mouth common (Cochrane review, 2012). The same guideline says clinicians may offer bimodal neuromodulation (sound combined with another type of stimulation) (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026). Brain-stimulation and drug research continues (NIDCD).

What it costs

  • Hearing tests: a full self-pay hearing evaluation runs about $100–$300 (The Pricer). Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams your provider orders; you pay 20% after the deductible (Medicare.gov).
  • Hearing aids: Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids or fitting exams; some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra hearing benefits (Medicare.gov). Self-pay cost estimate being researched.
  • Prescription sound-and-tongue-stimulation device (Lenire): U.S. self-pay signals cluster around $3,850 to $4,500 for clinic-guided care, set by the prescribing clinic (The Pricer).
  • Specialist visits, CBT, sound generators and TRT: cost estimate being researched.

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a licensed profession; treatment typically involves manual therapy, often including spinal manipulation (NCCIH). We found little research testing chiropractic spinal manipulation itself for tinnitus. The 2026 U.S. guideline says clinicians may ask about somatosensory features, meaning tinnitus that changes with head, neck or jaw movement (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026).

For that subgroup, small trials of neck and jaw programs, mostly described as physical therapy or manual therapy rather than chiropractic, report better results than exercise alone:

These studies were small, so treat them as promising rather than proven.

Safety: be cautious about neck manipulation. Short-lived soreness, stiffness or headache are common after spinal manipulation. Neck manipulation has been linked to rare tears in neck arteries that can lead to a stroke; experts disagree about whether it causes them (NCCIH). Because tinnitus with sudden dizziness, weakness or a drooping face can be a stroke (NHS), see a medical doctor first for any new, one-sided or sudden ear symptoms.

What it costs

Without insurance, about $90–$200 for a first visit and $55–$100 for follow-ups; a course of several weeks can come to $500–$1,000 (The Pricer).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for tinnitus has been studied a lot, but the research is weak, so the picture is unclear. We didn’t find a Cochrane review of acupuncture for tinnitus.

If you try it, use it alongside your medical care and your hearing evaluation, not instead of them.

Safety and cost

Few complications have been reported, but problems have come from non-sterile needles and poor technique; needles must be sterile and single-use, and most states license acupuncturists (NCCIH). Sessions run about $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90. Medicare Part B covers acupuncture only for qualifying chronic low-back pain, not tinnitus (The Pricer).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

Vitamins, herbal extracts and other supplements are often advertised as cures for tinnitus, but none has been proven effective (NIDCD). The 2014 U.S. guideline advised against ginkgo biloba, melatonin, zinc and other dietary supplements for persistent, bothersome tinnitus (AAO-HNS guideline, 2014), and the 2026 update again advises against supplements (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026).

Ginkgo

Research suggests ginkgo isn’t helpful for relieving tinnitus. Its most common side effects are dizziness, stomach upset and headache, and it may raise bleeding risk if you take blood thinners such as warfarin (NCCIH). A 2022 Cochrane review (12 studies, 1,915 people) was uncertain: ginkgo may have little to no effect on tinnitus severity, though the evidence was very low certainty (Cochrane review, 2022).

Zinc

Cochrane reviewed three trials (209 people) and found no evidence that oral zinc improves tinnitus symptoms (Cochrane review, 2016).

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before trying a supplement. Herbal products can interact with medicines, and supplements are not approved by the FDA before they are sold (NCCIH). We don’t list doses here. Our Medication Safety guide has more.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Massage doesn’t treat the ear, and we found little research on massage therapy for tinnitus itself. It may help with neck or shoulder pain, though the benefit may last only a short time (NCCIH), and if you find it relaxing it can be part of your stress plan.

Muscle-focused care is a different matter when tinnitus is tied to the neck or jaw. In one double-blind trial of 71 people with tinnitus and myofascial pain syndrome, ten sessions of trigger-point deactivation, a hands-on technique, beat sham treatment for tinnitus relief (randomized trial, 2012). That is a targeted physical-therapy method, not a relaxation massage, so ask a physical therapist or your doctor about it.

The risk of harm from massage appears low, but there have been rare reports of serious side effects, some with vigorous deep-tissue massage or in older adults (NCCIH). Tell your therapist about your tinnitus and avoid forceful neck work.

What it costs

At one national chain, franchise price lists show about $125–$160 for a 60-minute massage for non-members and $65–$90 for members, whose memberships run about $70–$90 a month (The Pricer). Tips are extra.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you turn your care team’s advice into habits — always alongside your doctor, never instead.

Understand it, and don’t fight it

Knowing that tinnitus is in most cases unlikely to be linked to a serious medical condition can ease anxiety (NIDCD). The NHS suggests not focusing on it, which can make it worse, and keeping busy with hobbies and activities (NHS).

A sound-friendly home

Total silence can make tinnitus stand out. The NHS advises soft music or sounds instead (NHS). At night, a bedside sound generator, phone app, radio or fan playing waves, rain or similar sounds can help you fall asleep (NIDCD).

Sleep and stress

The NHS suggests a bedtime routine, cutting down on caffeine, relaxing with deep breathing or yoga, and avoiding things that worsen tinnitus such as stress or loud background noise (NHS). Research is encouraging but limited: a review of seven studies found that mindfulness-based programs reduced tinnitus distress right after treatment in most of them, though not depression or anxiety, and long-term effects are uncertain (systematic review, 2019). A review of five studies of yoga and meditation reported benefits such as less severity and stress, with the authors calling for more trials (systematic review, 2021).

Track what helps

The 2026 guideline recommends documenting the outcomes of any treatment (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026). A simple diary — when the tinnitus is louder or softer, sleep, stress, noise, new medicines — can help you and your clinician see what is working, and helps you describe the sounds to an ENT, who will ask when they started (NIDCD).

Find support

The NHS suggests joining a support group, since talking with other people with tinnitus may help you cope (NHS). MedlinePlus lists the American Tinnitus Association and directories to find an audiologist or an ENT (MedlinePlus). A coach can help you prepare questions, keep a medicine list and stay with a plan such as CBT homework. MBHA coaching cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

Medicines and tinnitus

Tinnitus can be a side effect of certain medicines, especially at high doses. Those linked to it include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin), certain antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, anti-malaria medicines and antidepressants (NIDCD); the NHS names chemotherapy medicines, antibiotics, NSAIDs and aspirin (NHS).

If you think a medicine is involved, talk with the prescriber before changing anything. For sudden hearing loss, NIDCD notes that a person who took drugs toxic to the ear may be advised to switch to another drug (NIDCD). Bring a full list of medicines to your appointment, and see our Medication Safety guide.

Another approach

Jaw and neck links

The jaw joint sits close to the ear, and jaw clenching or tooth grinding can damage nearby tissue and cause or worsen tinnitus; treating the problem can eliminate or greatly reduce symptoms (NIDCD). A 2025 systematic review found a significant association between jaw (temporomandibular) disorders and tinnitus, with manual therapy and multidisciplinary care showing promise, though evidence was inconsistent (systematic review, 2025). A 2023 review described a four-question decision tree for spotting somatosensory tinnitus, and said treatment — counseling, exercises and hands-on techniques for the neck and jaw — usually lowers tinnitus severity or loudness and only rarely makes it vanish (review, 2023).

MBHA’s TMJ guide is on the way; for neck problems see our Neck guide. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient physical therapy your provider certifies; you pay 20% after the deductible (Medicare.gov).

Another approach

Protecting your hearing

Loud noise can cause both hearing loss and tinnitus. Tinnitus may subside, but it can also continue constantly or on and off for life (NIDCD). Sounds at or below 70 dBA are unlikely to cause hearing loss, but long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can (NIDCD). Wear earplugs or other protective devices during loud activities; NIDCD’s risk list includes concerts, target shooting and woodworking tools (NIDCD).

A good rule of thumb is to avoid noises that are too loud, too close or last too long; earbuds and headphones at high volume are on NIDCD’s list of risks (NIDCD). For more, see our Ear guide.

Another approach

Sleep, mood and mental health

Tinnitus can affect mood, sleep and concentration (NIDCD). The NHS recommends seeing a clinician if it affects your sleep or concentration or makes you feel anxious or depressed (NHS). Online psychological programs for tinnitus showed smaller but real improvements in depression, anxiety and insomnia as well (review, 2025). Our Sleep Problems, Anxiety and Depression guides explain further options.

It is worth saying plainly: in a 2025 analysis of nine studies, suicidal thoughts were reported by about 19.5% of people with tinnitus versus 9.9% of the control population (meta-analysis, 2025). For that reason, the 2026 U.S. guideline strongly recommends that clinicians ask people with bothersome tinnitus about the risk of self-harm (AAO-HNS guideline update, 2026). If you are struggling, tell your clinician, and call or text 988 any time (988 Lifeline).

Member stories

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This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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