Find Relief From Tinnitus

You may know it as a high-pitched ringing in your ears. Or a hiss. Or static. Tinnitus can affect people differently. The good news is there are ways to find relief and get back to the things you enjoy.

Justin S. Golub, MD, an associate professor of otolaryngology—head and neck surgery at Columbia, explains tinnitus and its varied symptoms. He also describes the best strategies for finding relief and minimizing the impact of tinnitus on your life.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is hearing a sound that isn’t part of the real, physical world around you. Patients can “hear” many things. Some describe a high-pitched ringing in their ears. Others describe bells. Or a static or hissing sound.

Is tinnitus a sign of hearing loss?

Not always. For a lot of people who have tinnitus, it can be short-lived. A loud concert, for example, can produce temporary tinnitus in audience members. Almost everyone will have tinnitus at some point in their lives.

That said, in some cases where tinnitus is especially loud, doesn’t go away, or occurs in only one ear, it could be a sign of hearing loss. Any of these situations warrant a hearing check with an ENT specialist.

For someone with tinnitus, what treatment do you recommend?

I often tell people, “Don’t think about your tinnitus.” Which, of course, leads them to think about their tinnitus!

What I mean to say is, “Put your attention on the things that are important to you. Your work, your family, your relationships, your hobbies.” When you do that, the tinnitus becomes less prominent in your awareness.

There are also some practical things people with tinnitus can do. For example, when you’re trying to fall asleep at night, create a background noise. Turn on a fan, soft music, or a white noise machine. Any of these can help distract from the tinnitus.

Are there things people with tinnitus should avoid?

Definitely. Anything that amps up the nervous system can make tinnitus worse. For example, to the extent you can lessen stress and anxiety in your life, find ways to do that. And if you can, reduce the amount of caffeine you consume.

Is there a cure for tinnitus?

Unfortunately, there is no “magic pill” that will make tinnitus disappear. What I find with most of my tinnitus patients is their tinnitus fades into the background as they get better at putting their attention on the things that really matter to them: work, family, and other important relationships.

In addition, don’t forget to take good care of yourself. Make sure you’re living a balanced, healthy lifestyle. This means eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep, and making time for regular exercise. All of these things can help you manage—and minimize—your tinnitus.