Tinnitus: Causes, Medications, and What You Can Do About Ringing in the Ears

When your ears ring, buzz, or hiss without any outside sound, you're experiencing tinnitus, a symptom, not a disease, often tied to hearing damage, medication use, or neurological changes. Also known as ear ringing, it affects over 15% of adults and can range from a mild annoyance to something that disrupts sleep, focus, and mental health. Many people don’t realize that common medications—like high-dose aspirin, certain antibiotics, diuretics, and even some antidepressants—can trigger or worsen tinnitus. It’s not always permanent, but if you’ve noticed new ringing after starting a new drug, it’s worth checking with your provider.

Tinnitus often shows up alongside hearing loss, a condition where the inner ear’s hair cells are damaged by noise, aging, or toxins. This isn’t just about volume—it’s about clarity. People with hearing loss may also struggle to filter out background noise, making tinnitus feel louder. The connection is so strong that many hearing specialists screen for tinnitus during routine tests. Even if your hearing seems fine, persistent ringing should be evaluated. Some cases are linked to medication-induced tinnitus, a known side effect of drugs that affect the inner ear or nervous system. For example, NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen can cause temporary ringing when taken in large doses, and diuretics like furosemide have been tied to both hearing changes and tinnitus. If you’re on any of these and notice new sounds in your ears, don’t ignore it.

What you won’t find in most quick fixes is the truth: tinnitus rarely goes away with supplements or ear candles. But it can improve with the right approach. Reducing caffeine and salt, managing stress, using sound therapy, and adjusting medications under medical supervision are proven strategies. Some people benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy designed specifically for tinnitus. And while no pill cures it, stopping a drug that’s causing it might make the noise fade. The posts below cover real cases where medications triggered ringing, how to tell if your pills are to blame, and what alternatives exist without losing the treatment you need. You’ll also find guides on drug safety, side effect tracking, and how to talk to your doctor about symptoms that get dismissed as "just tinnitus." This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about understanding what’s really happening—and taking control before it gets worse.