What is tinnitus, why do we experience it, and what’s the best way to treat it? We share everything you need to know

Buzzing, faint whistling, humming, ringing, hissing or background static – tinnitus can sound soft or loud, high in pitch or low. You might experience tinnitus in one or both ears, or it can feel like the noises are coming from within your head. You might hear them all the time, or they could come and go. If you hear noises that don’t have a clear outside source, it can be a sign of tinnitus. 

Tinnitus is more common than you might think. According to the British Academy of Audiology, around one in eight of us experience tinnitus. Yet despite so many of us experiencing tinnitus, new findings from Tinnitus UK revealed that NHS patients are facing excessive waiting times, and 36% of private audiologists consider tinnitus care to be a low priority. Hypnotherapy Directory revealed that they have seen a 99% increase in people searching for help with tinnitus between 2023-24, suggesting more and more people may be seeking alternative or complementary methods to help cope with symptoms.

According to the NHS, tinnitus is generally considered not to be a sign of anything more serious and can get better by itself. But what causes tinnitus, and what treatment options are available?

What’s the main cause of tinnitus?

The causes of tinnitus aren’t always clear, but it can be linked to:

  • hearing loss
  • anxiety or depression
  • conditions including diabetes, thyroid disorders, or multiple sclerosis
  • a side effect of some medicines, including aspirin, antibiotics, chemotherapy medicines, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
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If you’re worried that your tinnitus may be getting worse, you can hear it regularly or constantly, or if it is having a negative effect (e.g, you’re having trouble sleeping, concentrating, or are feeling anxious), it is worth speaking with your GP. 

What is the best treatment for tinnitus?

It’s important to remember that while there are treatments for tinnitus, it can’t be cured. Treatments can help to manage symptoms of tinnitus. Speaking with your GP, they will be able to see if there may be an obvious cause they can treat, such as a build-up of earwax or an ear infection. 

There are a number of different things recommended to help you cope with tinnitus. These can include:

Talking therapy for tinnitus: A number of different talking therapies are recommended by GPs and specialists. These can include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which can help reduce anxiety and challenge how you think about your tinnitus; tinnitus counselling to help you learn more about the condition and find ways of coping; or tinnitus retraining therapy, which uses sound therapy to help retrain your brain to tune out and be less aware of tinnitus. 

Promoting relaxation and reducing stress: Stress can often be linked with how much we hear or focus on tinnitus. By reducing stress with relaxation techniques, you may be less likely to notice tinnitus, helping you to better manage. Deep breathing exercises, yoga, or hypnotherapy for relaxation can all help you to feel more relaxed and able to cope with life’s stresses. 

Improving your sleep: Some people with tinnitus have difficulty getting to sleep, or may have a more disturbed sleep cycle. Sleep can help us physically and mentally; getting enough good, quality sleep can help you to feel better as well as to help you to better cope with stress. Improving your bedtime routine can help you to feel more rested and able to cope. 

Join a support group: Talking with others who have had similar experiences can help you to feel more connected, less alone, and can validate your experiences. It can also be helpful to talk with other people to find out what has worked for them. Tinnitus UK offers a search of independent support groups for tinnitus across the UK, or offers online support groups for those who can’t attend in person. 

Try sound therapy: Having total silence can result in your focusing on the noises more, which can, in turn, make things worse. Sound therapy (or sound enrichment) aims to help change your perception of your tinnitus or your reaction to the noises you can hear. Listening to soft music, white noise or sounds can provide a distraction from tinnitus and, over time, can lead to you being able to ignore it. You can try sound therapy in a number of different ways, including using apps and white noise generators. 

Hypnosis for tinnitus: Hypnotherapy uses a variety of techniques that can help you to feel less stressed, more relaxed, and to train your mind and change your reaction to tinnitus sounds. Clinical hypnotherapist Claire Edwards Dip.Hyp.HWHP, GHR, CNHC, explains more about how hypnotherapy can help.

“Hypnotherapy is gaining popularity as an effective treatment for tinnitus. During hypnosis, brain activity may resemble light sleep, but individuals remain fully aware of their surroundings and can respond to suggestions. This altered state enhances focus and deep relaxation, allowing for active engagement in the process. Importantly, patients maintain complete control over their thoughts and actions throughout the experience.

“Hypnotherapy not only addresses tinnitus symptoms immediately but also targets the root causes for long-term benefits. By employing techniques like imagery and suggestion, it can also help with lifestyle changes such as the reduction of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine consumption while fostering healthier coping mechanisms for anxiety and stress. This holistic approach aims to provide lasting relief and improve overall well-being.

“For the past five years, I have been treating patients with tinnitus using hypnosis and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). Many individuals report positive changes in their thoughts and feelings when the noise subsides, leading to greater happiness and confidence. This approach not only helps them read and study peacefully but also alleviates issues such as blushing in public and social phobia associated with tinnitus, significantly enhancing their overall quality of life.”

Discover more about how hypnotherapy can help manage symptoms of tinnitus. 

Living with tinnitus doesn’t have to mean living in discomfort. With a range of treatments and coping strategies available, from talking therapy to complementary therapies like hypnotherapy, you have the tools to take back control. Whether it’s finding relaxation techniques that work for you, connecting with support groups, or exploring new therapies, there’s hope and help available. With the right approach, many people find their symptoms lessen and their quality of life improves.