What Causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus — that persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whooshing sound that only you can hear — is one of the most common hearing-related concerns in Australia. Understanding the factors that can contribute to it is the first step toward managing it with the right professional support.
What Is Tinnitus, Exactly?
Tinnitus (pronounced tin-EYE-tus or TIN-it-us) is the perception of sound when no external sound source is present. It is not a condition in itself but rather a symptom — something the body produces in response to changes in the auditory system or broader health.
The experience varies widely. Some people describe a high-pitched ringing; others hear a low hum, a clicking, a whooshing, or a pulsing rhythm. It can be constant or intermittent, present in one ear or both, and range from mildly noticeable to significantly disruptive.
Tinnitus is common across all age groups, but it becomes more prevalent with age. Australian research suggests that roughly one in five adults will experience tinnitus at some point in their lives, and many manage it successfully once they understand what is contributing to it.
Common Contributing Factors
There is rarely a single cause behind tinnitus. More often, several factors interact to produce or worsen the symptom. Below are the most frequently identified contributors.
Noise Exposure
Prolonged or repeated exposure to loud sound is one of the most well-documented factors associated with tinnitus. This includes workplace noise (construction, manufacturing, agriculture), recreational noise (concerts, power tools, motorsport), and the cumulative effect of years spent in moderately noisy environments.
Even a single, very loud sound event — such as an explosion or a sudden blast of music through headphones — can trigger tinnitus that persists well beyond the original event.
Age-Related Changes to Hearing
As the auditory system changes with age, the hair cells inside the cochlea (the inner ear’s sound-sensing organ) can become less responsive. This gradual change, sometimes called age-related hearing loss or presbycusis, is frequently associated with tinnitus.
Many people experience both together — a degree of hearing difficulty and a background tinnitus sound — though the two do not always appear in tandem.
Earwax Buildup
A blockage in the ear canal from excess earwax can muffle sound and, for some people, contribute to a sense of fullness or ringing. This is one of the more straightforward contributing factors to identify, and microsuction earwax removal is a common first step for people experiencing sudden-onset tinnitus alongside a blocked sensation.
Medications
Certain medications are known to have ototoxic properties — meaning they can affect the auditory system as a side effect. These include some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, chemotherapy agents, and high doses of aspirin. If you have recently started a new medication and noticed a change in your hearing or the arrival of a tinnitus sound, it is worth raising this with your GP or prescribing specialist.
This resource cannot provide advice on medications. Always speak with your doctor before adjusting any prescribed treatment.
Cardiovascular and Circulatory Changes
Pulsatile tinnitus — where the sound follows a rhythmic beat, often in time with the heart — can sometimes be connected to changes in blood flow near the ear. Blood pressure, circulation, and vascular health may play a role for some individuals. This type of tinnitus in particular warrants prompt discussion with a GP.
Head, Neck, or Jaw Conditions
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, neck tension, and head injuries can all influence the perception of tinnitus. The anatomical relationship between the jaw, neck muscles, and the auditory pathway means that structural or muscular changes in these areas can sometimes trigger or worsen tinnitus.
Stress and Fatigue
While stress does not cause tinnitus in a direct physiological sense, there is a well-established relationship between stress levels and how loudly or intrusively tinnitus is perceived. During periods of high stress, poor sleep, or anxiety, many people report that their tinnitus seems more prominent. Managing overall wellbeing can be a meaningful part of living with tinnitus.
What Tinnitus Is Not
It is important to be clear: tinnitus is not a sign that you are “going mad,” and it is not always an indicator of serious illness. For the large majority of people, it is a manageable symptom with identifiable contributing factors. It is also not something you simply have to live with in isolation — there are evidence-based approaches to support and management.
When Should You Seek a Hearing Assessment?
You should consider booking a hearing assessment if:
- Tinnitus has been present for more than a few days without a clear short-term cause (such as a loud concert)
- The tinnitus is affecting your sleep, concentration, or daily life
- The tinnitus is in one ear only, which warrants prompt professional review
- You notice it is pulsing in time with your heartbeat
- You have also noticed changes in your ability to hear conversations or sounds around you
- You experienced a sudden change in hearing alongside the tinnitus
A comprehensive hearing assessment with an audiologist can help identify whether there is an underlying hearing change contributing to the tinnitus, and opens the conversation about appropriate next steps and support options.
How Audiologists Support People With Tinnitus
Audiologists do not treat the medical causes of tinnitus — that is the role of your GP or medical specialist. What an audiologist can do is assess the auditory factors that may be involved, explain what is happening in plain language, and discuss management strategies that may help reduce the impact tinnitus has on daily life.
Common approaches that audiologists may discuss include:
- Sound therapy — using gentle background sounds (fans, white noise, nature sounds) to reduce the contrast between silence and the tinnitus
- Hearing aids — where hearing loss is also present, addressing that loss often reduces the prominence of tinnitus for many people
- Tinnitus counselling and education — understanding the tinnitus often reduces the distress associated with it
- Referral to other practitioners — including GPs, ENT specialists, psychologists, or physiotherapists, depending on contributing factors
Individual outcomes vary significantly, and no single approach works the same way for every person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can tinnitus go away on its own? A: Tinnitus that follows a specific, short-term event — such as attending a loud concert — often settles within hours or a day or two. Tinnitus that persists beyond that, or that has no clear short-term cause, is less likely to resolve on its own and warrants a professional assessment.
Q: Is tinnitus related to hearing loss? A: There is a strong association between tinnitus and changes in hearing, though not everyone with tinnitus has measurable hearing loss. A hearing assessment can clarify whether the two are connected in your situation.
Q: Can stress make tinnitus worse? A: Many people find that their tinnitus seems louder or more intrusive during periods of stress, anxiety, or poor sleep. While stress does not cause tinnitus, managing it can sometimes help reduce how disruptive the tinnitus feels day-to-day.
Q: Do I need a GP referral to see an audiologist? A: In most cases, you can book directly with an audiologist without a referral. Some funding programs (including the Australian Government Hearing Services Program) do have specific eligibility steps, so it is worth checking if you think you may be eligible for subsidised services.
Q: Is tinnitus covered by the Australian Government Hearing Services Program? A: Eligible clients under the Hearing Services Program can access hearing assessments and other audiological services, which can include assessment and discussion of tinnitus as part of their overall hearing care. Speak with an audiologist to understand what is covered under your specific eligibility.
A Note for Family Members
If someone you care about has mentioned ringing in their ears — or if you have noticed they seem to be withdrawing from social situations, sleeping poorly, or seem more irritable than usual — it is worth encouraging them to have their hearing checked. Tinnitus can be isolating, and a supportive conversation often makes all the difference in prompting someone to seek help.
Book a Hearing Assessment on the Redcliffe Peninsula
If you have been noticing a ringing, buzzing, or other persistent sound, Hearing Help is here to listen. As an independent audiology clinic serving the Redcliffe Peninsula and Moreton Bay region, we offer comprehensive hearing assessments in a welcoming, unhurried environment.
There is no pressure and no obligation. Just a conversation about what you are experiencing and what options may be available to you.
Get in touch with Hearing Help today to book your assessment.