Tinnitus treatment focuses on easing the ringing, since there is no cure. Cognitive behavioral therapy has the best evidence, with 28 studies of 2,733 people showing less distress. A hearing aid check is recommended if you have hearing loss, and background sound may help. Ginkgo, zinc and advertised tinnitus supplements lack good trial support. See a doctor promptly if the sound pulses or is in one ear.
On this page
- What is tinnitus, and what causes ringing in the ears?
- Is there a cure for tinnitus?
- Which tinnitus treatment do doctors recommend first?
- Does cognitive behavioral therapy help tinnitus?
- Do sound therapy and hearing aids help ringing in the ears?
- Do tinnitus treatment supplements work?
- Tinnitus symptoms: when should you see a doctor?
- What tinnitus relief can you try at home?
- Bottom line on tinnitus treatment
- FAQ
Tinnitus treatment aims to make ringing in the ears quieter, less noticeable and less upsetting, because no current option makes it go away for good in most people. We read the NIDCD tinnitus page, the MedlinePlus entry, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guideline, six Cochrane reviews and three other reviews. Our method is on the how we review page, and more guides sit in our tinnitus and ear ringing section.
The short answer: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has the strongest evidence, with 28 studies of 2,733 people showing less distress, and hearing aids are a main option when hearing loss is also present.[4][1]
| What it is | Hearing ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing or clicking that has no outside source.[1] |
|---|---|
| How common | Surveys put it at 10 to 25% of adults.[1] |
| Is there a cure | No. NIDCD says there is no cure, but symptoms can be reduced.[1] |
| Best evidence | CBT for bothersome tinnitus that lasts, plus a hearing aid check when hearing loss is documented.[3][4] |
| Other options | Sound therapy, such as white noise or sound generators, is listed as an option.[3][5] |
| Supplements | The guideline advises against ginkgo, melatonin, zinc and other supplements for tinnitus.[3] |
| See a doctor soon if | It pulses with your heartbeat, is in one ear only, or comes with uneven hearing loss or nerve symptoms.[3][12] |
What is tinnitus, and what causes ringing in the ears?
Tinnitus is the sense of hearing sound when no outside sound is there. People describe it as ringing, buzzing, hissing, roaring or clicking, in one ear or both. NIDCD calls it chronic when it lasts three months or longer, and the AAO-HNS guideline calls it persistent at six months.[1][3]
It is common. The guideline says more than 50 million people in the United States have reported it, and a Cochrane review notes that 1% to 3% of adults have severe tinnitus.[3][4]
Ringing in the ears is a symptom with many possible sources. NIDCD lists these as common links:[1]
- Loud noise, at work, at concerts or from headphones.
- Age-related or other hearing loss.
- Earwax buildup or an ear infection.
- Some medicines, including NSAIDs, aspirin, some antibiotics, and some cancer, malaria and depression drugs.
- Head or neck injury.
- Less often, Meniere’s disease, jaw joint problems, a benign tumor on the hearing nerve, blood vessel problems, diabetes, thyroid disease or anemia.
Finding the cause matters, because some causes can be fixed. NIDCD says a primary care doctor will first check for earwax or fluid from an ear infection blocking the ear canal, and MedlinePlus notes that treatment depends on the cause.[1][2]
Is there a cure for tinnitus?
There is no cure for tinnitus today, but there are ways to reduce symptoms. That is how NIDCD puts it. The goal of most care is to make the sound less intrusive and to lower the stress, poor sleep and trouble focusing that often come with it.[1]
No medicine has been approved by the FDA for tinnitus, and NIDCD says there are no medications made specifically to treat it.[1] MedlinePlus lists medicines among the options but says treatment depends on the cause.[2]
When tinnitus has a clear cause, such as wax, an infection, a medicine side effect or a blood vessel problem, treating that cause can help. NIDCD notes that pulsing tinnitus often has an identifiable cause and is treatable.[1] A 2022 review found a cause in more than 70% of people with pulsatile tinnitus who had a thorough evaluation.[12]
For the more common steady ringing linked to noise or hearing loss, the realistic goal is that it bothers you less over time.
Which tinnitus treatment do doctors recommend first?
The AAO-HNS guideline recommends a hearing evaluation, a hearing aid check if you have hearing loss, and CBT for persistent, bothersome tinnitus. It lists sound therapy as an option. It advises against routine antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, medicines injected into the ear, dietary supplements and routine magnetic brain stimulation.[3]
The guideline also says most people do not need a scan. It strongly advises against imaging when tinnitus is in both ears, does not pulse, and comes with no nerve symptoms or uneven hearing loss.[3] NIDCD notes that an ear, nose and throat doctor may order imaging, especially if the tinnitus pulsates.[1]
The table below turns that guidance into a simple starting point. Use it to plan what to ask your doctor.
| If your tinnitus | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pulses in time with your heartbeat | A prompt doctor visit | It often has a cause that can be found and treated.[1][12] |
| Is in one ear only | A doctor visit and hearing test | The guideline treats one-sided tinnitus as a reason for a closer look.[3] |
| Comes with hearing loss | A hearing aid evaluation | Recommended by the guideline when hearing loss is documented.[3] |
| Has lasted 6 months and upsets you | CBT with a trained provider | The option with the most trial support.[3][4] |
| Is worse in quiet rooms or at bedtime | Background sound, such as a fan or white noise | Masking can make it less noticeable.[1][2] |
| Started after a new medicine | Ask your prescriber | Several drug types are linked to tinnitus.[1] |
Does cognitive behavioral therapy help tinnitus?
Yes, CBT has the best evidence of any tinnitus treatment for lowering how much the sound bothers people. CBT does not change the sound itself. It teaches new ways to think about and respond to it, which can ease distress, sleep problems and worry.[4]
A 2020 Cochrane review pooled 28 studies with 2,733 participants. Programs lasted 3 to 22 weeks.[4]
- Compared with a waiting list, CBT lowered scores on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) by 10.91 points. A change of 7 points is the smallest one people tend to notice. The certainty was low.[4]
- Compared with usual audiology care, CBT lowered THI scores by 5.65 points across 3 studies with 444 people, with moderate certainty.[4]
- Side effects appeared to be rare.[4]
The main gap is long-term data. The review found an absence of evidence at 6 or 12 months of follow-up, so we do not know how long the benefit lasts.[4]
CBT for tinnitus may be offered by psychologists or by audiologists with extra training. Ask your doctor or hearing clinic for a referral.
Do sound therapy and hearing aids help ringing in the ears?
Sound therapy and hearing aids can make tinnitus less noticeable for some people, but trials have not shown they beat placebo or education. They remain reasonable options, and hearing aids are one of the main treatments for people who also have hearing loss.[5][1]
Sound therapy means adding sound to cover or blend with the ringing. It can be as simple as a fan, a radio or a bedside sound generator, or a wearable device. NIDCD notes that for mild tinnitus, a household fan or sound generator may be all someone needs to fall asleep.[1]
A 2018 Cochrane review of 8 studies with 590 people found no evidence that sound therapy was better than a waiting list, placebo or education. Hearing aids and sound generators were each linked to a clinically meaningful drop in symptoms within groups, but the evidence was low quality.[5]
Hearing aids help in a second way. When you hear outside sounds better, the tinnitus may stand out less. A 2014 Cochrane review found only 1 trial, with 91 people, comparing hearing aids with sound generators. It showed no difference between them and could not support or refute routine use.[6]
What the research shows for each tinnitus treatment
| Option | Review and size | Result | Certainty |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBT | Cochrane 2020, 28 studies, 2,733 people[4] | THI 10.91 points lower than waiting list | Low to moderate |
| Sound therapy | Cochrane 2018, 8 studies, 590 people[5] | No proof it beats placebo or education | Low |
| Hearing aids | Cochrane 2014, 1 trial, 91 people[6] | No difference from sound generators | Low |
| Antidepressants | Cochrane 2012, 6 trials, 610 people[8] | Not enough evidence of benefit for tinnitus | Low |
| Ginkgo biloba | Cochrane 2022, 12 studies, 1,915 people[7] | Little to no effect at 3 to 6 months | Very low |
| Zinc | Cochrane 2016, 3 trials, 209 people[9] | No evidence it improves symptoms | Low |
Do tinnitus treatment supplements work?
No supplement has good trial evidence for tinnitus, and the AAO-HNS guideline recommends against ginkgo biloba, melatonin, zinc and other dietary supplements for it. NIDCD says none of these has been proven to be effective.[3][1]
Here is what the reviews found for the most common ones:
- Ginkgo biloba. A 2022 Cochrane review of 12 studies with 1,915 people found ginkgo may have little to no effect on tinnitus at 3 to 6 months. The one pooled THI result, from 2 studies of 85 people, was 1.35 points, well short of what people notice.[7]
- Zinc. A 2016 Cochrane review of 3 trials with 209 people found no evidence that oral zinc improves symptoms. Improvement was 5% with zinc and 2% with placebo, a difference that was not significant.[9]
- Melatonin, alpha-lipoic acid and blends. A 2026 systematic review of 9 randomized trials in 390 adults found that no firm conclusions can be drawn about any over-the-counter product. Placebo responses were common.[11]
Heavily advertised tinnitus supplements deserve extra caution. A 2019 Stanford analysis found that over-the-counter tinnitus products make unfounded claims of relief, and that most contain inexpensive, common vitamins, minerals or herbs sold at a premium.[10] We found no randomized trial supporting any of the branded formulas promoted online. Treat ads that promise to “stop the ringing” with suspicion.
Prescription antidepressants are a separate question. A Cochrane review of 6 trials with 610 people found insufficient evidence that they improve tinnitus, and sedation, sexual side effects and dry mouth were common.[8] A doctor may still suggest one for depression, anxiety or sleep problems that come with tinnitus.
Tinnitus symptoms: when should you see a doctor?
See a doctor about any tinnitus that is new, one-sided, pulsing, or comes with hearing loss or dizziness. Most tinnitus is not dangerous, but these patterns can point to a cause that needs care. The AAO-HNS guideline singles out one-sided or pulsing tinnitus, uneven hearing loss and nerve symptoms for a closer workup.[3]
See a doctor promptly if:
- It pulses in time with your heartbeat. A 2022 review notes pulsatile tinnitus can be an early warning of stroke.[12]
- It started after a head or neck injury.[1]
- It comes with dizziness or balance problems and hearing loss, which can point to Meniere’s disease.[1]
- You have uneven hearing loss, or new weakness, numbness or vision changes along with it.[3]
Book a regular visit if the sound is in one ear only, or if it keeps you from sleeping or working. NIDCD suggests starting with your primary care doctor, who may refer you to an ENT or an audiologist.[1][2]
Bring a list of every medicine and supplement you take. NIDCD lists NSAIDs, aspirin and several other drug types as possible triggers.[1] Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Ask the prescriber whether a change makes sense. If you are pregnant, nursing or take daily medicine, ask your doctor before starting any supplement.
What tinnitus relief can you try at home?
Home steps cannot remove tinnitus, but background sound and protecting your hearing may help. NIDCD says sound therapy may work by masking the tinnitus, helping you grow used to it, or distracting you from it.[1]
- Play low background sound in quiet rooms and at bedtime, such as a fan, a radio or a sound generator playing rain or waves.[1]
- Keep the masking sound a little softer than the ringing so it blends in.[3][5]
- Wear earplugs or earmuffs around loud noise, and keep headphone volume down. Noise is one of the most common causes.[1]
- Ask your doctor whether a medicine you take, such as high doses of aspirin or ibuprofen, could play a role.[1]
- Let a clinician check for earwax or fluid blocking the ear canal.[1]
- Write down when the tinnitus is worse, which ear, and what you were doing. Take the notes to your appointment.
- If the sound still bothers you after a few months, ask about a hearing test and a CBT referral.[3][4]
Use this checklist before you spend money on a product:
- Has a doctor ruled out wax, infection, medicine side effects and blood vessel causes?[1]
- Have you had a hearing test? Hearing aids may help if hearing loss is found.[1][3]
- Does the product claim to cure or stop tinnitus? No product has shown that in trials.[1][11]
- Are the ingredients ginkgo, zinc, melatonin or common vitamins? Reviews found little or no benefit.[7][9][11]
- Does the label list exact amounts, not a hidden “proprietary blend”? See how we read supplement labels.
Bottom line on tinnitus treatment
Tinnitus has no cure, but it often becomes less bothersome over time, and some treatments help. CBT has the most trial support for easing distress. A hearing check, hearing aids when needed and background sound are low-risk steps that the guideline supports.[3][4]
For most people, a hearing test and a CBT referral are a better first step than a supplement, because the evidence for ginkgo, zinc and advertised blends is weak and the guideline advises against them.[3][7][9] Pulsing or one-sided ringing needs a doctor visit first.[3][12]
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treatment for tinnitus?
For bothersome tinnitus that lasts, cognitive behavioral therapy has the strongest evidence, based on 28 studies of 2,733 people. If you also have hearing loss, a hearing aid evaluation is recommended. Background sound can help too. Start with a hearing test and a doctor visit.
Can ringing in the ears go away on its own?
It can. Many people notice ringing after a loud concert, and NIDCD says earwax or fluid from an ear infection can trigger it. When a cause like that is treated, the sound may ease. NIDCD calls tinnitus chronic once it lasts three months or longer.
Does tinnitus mean I am losing my hearing?
Not always, but the two often go together. NIDCD lists hearing loss and loud noise among the most common causes. A hearing test is the simplest way to find out, and hearing aids may ease the ringing if loss is found.
Can stress make tinnitus worse?
Many people notice the ringing more when they are stressed, tired or in a quiet room. CBT works on this link by changing how you respond to the sound. In trials it lowered tinnitus distress more than a waiting list did.
Is tinnitus in one ear serious?
It is often harmless, but it deserves a doctor visit. The AAO-HNS guideline treats one-sided or pulsing tinnitus, or ringing with uneven hearing loss, as reasons for a closer look, which can include a hearing test and sometimes imaging.
Sources
- What Is Tinnitus? Causes and Treatment. NIDCD (NIH), 2023
- Tinnitus (health topic). MedlinePlus (NLM), 2026
- Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus. Tunkel et al., AAO-HNS Foundation, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 2014
- Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus. Fuller et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
- Sound therapy (using amplification devices and/or sound generators) for tinnitus. Sereda et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018
- Amplification with hearing aids for patients with tinnitus and co-existing hearing loss. Hoare et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014
- Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus. Sereda et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022
- Antidepressants for patients with tinnitus. Baldo et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012
- Zinc supplementation for tinnitus. Person et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016
- Over-the-Counter Tinnitus Cures: Marketers' Promises Do Not Ring True. Vendra et al., The Laryngoscope, 2019
- Systematic review of over-the-counter treatments for tinnitus. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 2026
- Diagnostic Approach to Pulsatile Tinnitus: A Narrative Review. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 2022
Maya Ellison is the Reviews Editor at The Well Brew, a slow, plain-language supplement review blog for everyday adults. Maya reads each label in full, sets every dose beside the amounts used in human studies, grades the research with sources such as the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and NCCIH, and works out the real cost and refund fine print. Maya has no medical credentials and is not a doctor, dietitian, nurse or pharmacist. Reviews give pros, cons and who a product suits, never scores. How we review supplements.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not reviewed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness before they are sold. Talk to your doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take medication or have a health condition.