Ear noises or buzzing

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Ear anatomy

Overview

Treatment

Ear noises or buzzing

Alternative Names:

Ringing in the ears; Tinnitus; Noises or buzzing in the ears
Home Care:

Tinnitus can be masked by competing sounds, such as low-level music, ticking clocks, or other noises. Tinnitus is often more noticeable when you go to bed at night because your surroundings are quieter. Any noise in the room, like a humidifier, white noise machine, or dishwasher, can help mask tinnitus and make it less irritating.
Learn ways to relax. Feeling stressed or anxious can worsen tinnitus.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking.
Get enough rest. Try sleeping with your head propped up in an elevated position. This lessens head congestion and noises may become less noticeable.

Call your health care provider if:

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Call your doctor if:

Ear noises start after a head injury.
The noises are associated with other unexplained symptoms like dizziness, feeling off balance, nausea, or vomiting.
You have unexplained ear noises that bother you even after self-help measures.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The health care provider will perform a physical examination, including a detailed ear examination. The provider ask questions such as:

What does the sound resemble?
Is the sound throbbing or rhythmic?
Is it in one or both ears?
What other symptoms are also present?

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

Audiology/audiometry to test hearing loss
Head CT scan
Head MRI scan
Blood vessel studies (angiography)
X-rays of the head

TREATMENT

Usually, there is no known cure for tinnitus. If the underlying cause is determined, then fixing that problem may take away your tinnitus (for example, removal of ear wax). Otherwise, measures to help you lessen or live with the noises are taken.

A tinnitus masker, a device worn like a hearing aid, may help. This works by producing low-level sound directly into the ear to cover or disguise the ear noise so that it is less bothersome. A hearing aid may help lessen ear noise and amplify outside sounds.

Medications such as anti-arrhythmics (usually used for irregular heart rhythms), antidepressants, vasodilators, tranquilizers, and anticonvulsants may help. Antihistamines (e.g., meclizine) are also often effective.

Sometimes, counseling may help you learn to tolerate tinnitus. When appropriate, you may be encouraged to consider biofeedback training. This is a method that helps you learn to control body functions by monitoring specific responses (such as tightness of a muscle group) and altering this response through relaxation.