Highlights:

• A brief description of ringing in the ears, known in medical terms as tinnitus
• When it occurs and how it affects daily life
• Why its intensity varies, what can worsen it, and how to manage it successfully

Ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming… these are the most common ways patients describe the noise in their ears. This condition, medically known as tinnitus, is a fairly widespread problem—according to statistics, between 10% and 25% of adults live with some form of ringing in the ears. It can sometimes occur even in children.

Over time, the condition may improve with various combined therapies and can even disappear. However, in some cases, tinnitus worsens over time. If symptoms persist without improvement for more than 3 months, tinnitus is considered chronic.

The exact causes of tinnitus cannot yet be definitively identified by science, although it is sometimes the result of trauma. Most people, however, suffer from some degree of hearing loss. In rare cases, tinnitus is associated with a serious medical condition (such as a concussion), and it’s usually not intense enough to interfere with daily tasks. Still, some people report that the noise in their ears often affects their mood, stress levels, and ability to concentrate. Tinnitus is sometimes linked to declining mental health—particularly with the onset of anxiety and even depression.

Types of tinnitus (ear noise)

Subjective Tinnitus
This is the most common form of tinnitus. If you suffer from this type, it means you hear sounds that are not associated with any external source. In many cases, subjective tinnitus appears after exposure to extremely loud noise—for example, working on a construction site, in a factory, or attending a nightclub or rock concert.

Subjective tinnitus can appear and disappear suddenly, and its duration can range from a few hours to a year. If you experience recurring symptoms or the noise keeps getting worse, it is advisable to consult an audiologist.

Neurological Tinnitus
This form is associated with certain neurological conditions of the brain. When tinnitus affects the brain’s auditory processing, it becomes more difficult to hear clearly. An example of such a neurological condition is Ménière’s disease, which affects the inner ear. Symptoms include frequent vertigo, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, and ringing or buzzing in the ears.

Somatic Tinnitus
Somatic tinnitus is related to the sensory system and is often linked to movement and touch. Its symptoms are frequently triggered by muscle spasms or other neurological problems, usually in the head and neck area. Possible causes include inflammation of the peripheral nervous system, dental problems (such as wisdom teeth or pulpitis), mechanical injuries to the head or neck, and even poor posture.

Objective Tinnitus
Objective tinnitus is very rare. Unlike subjective tinnitus—where only the person affected can hear the noise—in objective tinnitus, the sound can sometimes be heard by others as well. Most cases of objective tinnitus are caused by involuntary muscle contractions or vascular abnormalities. Some people notice that the sounds they hear coincide with their heartbeat.

When does tinnitus occur and what causes it?

Hearing loss (age-related or caused by exposure to loud noise). Many studies have explored the connection between tinnitus and hearing loss. According to the results, the two conditions are linked in over 90% of cases. Many people may not even realize that they suffer from both. A correlation has also been found between the type of hearing loss and the nature of the tinnitus. For example, if you have high-frequency hearing loss, the noise may present as a high-pitched sound. In more severe cases of hearing damage, the tinnitus may be more intense. In patients whose hearing is damaged in only one ear, the ringing is usually present in that same ear only.

Earwax or infections. Infections of the outer or middle ear can cause ringing, as they often involve swelling or fluid buildup. This can lead to blockage and damage to the eardrum, which in turn results in the annoying ringing sound.

Head and neck injuries. More serious injuries can affect the auditory pathways. For instance, a concussion may also result in neck pain and subsequently tinnitus. Fortunately, these symptoms rarely last more than a month, and therefore this type of tinnitus is not classified as chronic.

Medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, diuretics). Common medications like NSAIDs, which are often used to treat headaches, back pain, menstrual cramps, or flu symptoms, can also cause tinnitus. The same applies to certain antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics, antimalarial drugs, and medications used in cancer treatment.

Stress and anxiety. Research shows that high levels of stress are directly linked to the onset or worsening of tinnitus. For some people, the reverse is also true—tinnitus and the inability to control it cause anxiety. This creates a vicious cycle—stress worsens the tinnitus, which in turn makes you feel even more stressed and irritated.

Chronic conditions and others (high blood pressure, diabetes). Tinnitus is a common side effect of hypertension, which occurs because the excessive pressure affects the network of blood vessels within the auditory system. If you hear sounds that match your heartbeat or pulse, your tinnitus is more likely to be related to high blood pressure.

Diabetes can also cause tinnitus. The inner ear is connected to the metabolism of glucose in the blood, and its health can be affected by high blood sugar levels. Another factor that may lead to tinnitus is elevated insulin levels.

Why does the intensity of tinnitus vary?

Why does tinnitus come and go? It is quite common for the sound to fluctuate—some days the symptoms may be barely noticeable, while on others they are so intense that they are hard to ignore. The reasons are many, but the main ones include stress levels, your surrounding environment, and the health of your ears.

Anything that triggers unexpected stress—physically or mentally—can cause a spike in tinnitus. However, it’s important to note that each person’s experience is different, so the triggers can vary. The most common ones are:

• Lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep, fatigue
• Stress, anxiety, and depression
• Exposure to loud noises (traffic, construction, loud music)
• Other disturbing sounds (depending on the individual)
• Use of certain medications
• Poor diet (especially excess salt and sugar)
• Dehydration
• Caffeine, alcohol
• Air pollution
• Changes in atmospheric pressure
• Flying in an airplane

How can you identify the triggers?

If you suffer from tinnitus, it’s a good idea to keep a symptom journal. This can help you figure out not only when you experienced a spike in the noise, but also what might have triggered it at the time. Make it a habit to write down everything you eat and drink throughout the day, any exercises you do, what the weather is like, what medications or supplements you take, when you go to bed and wake up, how well you slept, and anything else that may have thrown you off. Also, each day, rate the intensity of your tinnitus on a scale from 1 to 10.

At first, it may be hard to spot a connection between daily activities and the intensity of the noise. But with patience, over time you are likely to discover patterns and recurring factors that can point you toward what’s triggering your flare-ups.

What should you do during tinnitus flare-ups?

Living with tinnitus often requires a multi-faceted approach that combines sound therapy, lifestyle changes, and even psychological support. Here are some proven strategies to reduce its impact:

Treat the root cause
Tinnitus treatment depends largely on whether it’s triggered by an underlying health condition. If so, addressing that condition will also help with tinnitus relief. This includes causes such as ear infections, trauma, hypertension or other vascular disorders, hearing loss, or medication side effects.

Healthy habits
Although it may sound general, we’ve already learned that tinnitus spikes can be linked to high stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, dehydration, overconsumption of caffeine, and more. Healthy habits shouldn’t be underestimated. A diet low in excess salt and sugar, drinking enough water, and ensuring at least 8 hours of sleep can not only positively affect tinnitus but also reduce one of its main triggers—stress.

In addition to maintaining healthy habits, extra support through specialized products like Selenogin Super  can amplify the positive effect. Selenogin Super helps reduce ringing in the ears (tinnitus) through a combination of powerful antioxidants and plant extracts. It improves circulation in the auditory system, protects nerve cells, and reduces oxidative stress—all key factors in relieving tinnitus.

It is suitable for people with temporary symptoms caused by stress or noise trauma, as well as those with chronic complaints. For best results, it is recommended to take it as part of a course, combined with a balanced diet and stress reduction.

Sound Therapy

Background noise or “white noise” can help mask the internal sounds of tinnitus, making them less noticeable. Using sound machines, apps, or even fans at night can improve sleep and reduce the perception of ringing.

Psychotherapy

Seeing a psychologist is an essential starting point for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. Good results have been observed with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps individuals change how they react to tinnitus by addressing the emotional distress it may cause. This type of therapy can provide coping mechanisms and improve mental resilience.

Other ways to manage stress include relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These can help lower the overall intensity of tinnitus symptoms.

In conclusion…

The intensity of tinnitus varies due to factors such as lack of sleep, stressful situations, diet, and environment. Managing tinnitus requires a comprehensive approach: treating the underlying condition, maintaining healthy habits, using sound therapy, and receiving psychological support. Keeping a symptom journal helps identify triggers, while strategies like relaxation and a balanced lifestyle can reduce discomfort. In some cases, the condition improves over time; in others, it may become chronic and require long-term treatment.

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FAQ:

What is tinnitus?

• Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, humming, or other types of noise in the ears that does not come from an external source. It is not a disease, but a symptom that can be caused by various factors such as hearing damage, stress, or circulation problems.

Why is tinnitus sometimes louder, and other times barely noticeable?

• The intensity of tinnitus can vary depending on stress levels, fatigue, surrounding noise, consumption of caffeine or alcohol, and hormonal fluctuations. That’s why it’s important to monitor which factors worsen the symptoms and avoid them whenever possible.

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Sources:

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus

https://siouxlandhearing.com/the-4-different-types-of-tinnitus

https://photoni.care/can-an-ear-infection-cause-tinnitus

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