Tinnitus: Causes, Why It Gets Louder and What Helps (UK)

Last updated: October 2026

Tinnitus is hearing ringing, buzzing or other sounds that have no outside source. It’s very common and usually linked to hearing loss, loud noise, earwax, ear infections or stress. There’s no single cure, but sound therapy, CBT, hearing aids and treating the cause help many people. Get urgent help if it comes with sudden hearing loss.

Below: what tinnitus sounds like, its causes, tinnitus in both ears or one ear, why it gets louder, whether it runs in families, what helps, what doesn’t, the NHS route and the red flags.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is hearing a sound when nothing outside is making it. It’s a symptom rather than a disease, and it’s rarely a sign of anything serious.

The NHS lists these common sounds:

ringing, buzzing or hissing
humming or whooshing
throbbing
music or singing

It can be in one ear, both ears or your head, constant or on and off.

How common is it? Tinnitus UK says around 1 in 3 people get it at some point and about 1 in 7 live with it long term. A 2022 review of 83 studies found it in 14.4% of adults, rising from 9.7% of 18 to 44 year olds to 23.6% of over-65s. Only about 2.3% had severe tinnitus.

Other types. Pulsatile tinnitus is a rhythmic sound that usually beats in time with your pulse. It’s less common, and it should always be checked by a GP (see below). A single loud bang as you drift off to sleep is something different again: see exploding head syndrome.

↑ Back to top

What causes tinnitus?

RNID says tinnitus is most often linked to hearing loss or other ear conditions. One theory is that when the ear sends less sound to the brain, the brain “fills in the gaps”. The NHS adds that the cause is often unclear.

Possible cause	Clues	What usually helps
Age-related hearing loss	Gradual, often in both ears; trouble following conversations in noisy places	Hearing test; hearing aids if needed
Loud noise	Ringing after a gig, power tools or noisy work; may fade within days	Protect your ears from now on
Earwax build-up	Muffled hearing, a blocked feeling, usually one ear	Olive oil drops or a pharmacist first; see below
Ear infection, a cold or a perforated eardrum	Earache, blocked feeling, discharge, recent cold	Often settles as the ear heals; see a GP
Ménière’s disease	Attacks of vertigo, hearing loss and pressure in the ear	GP and specialist care
Some medicines	The NHS lists some chemotherapy medicines, some antibiotics, NSAIDs and aspirin	Talk to your GP or pharmacist; don’t stop a prescribed medicine yourself
Stress, anxiety or depression	Tinnitus seems louder at tense times	Relaxation, CBT, managing stress
Jaw problems (TMD)	Jaw pain, clicking, teeth grinding	Jaw care, dentist or physio
Other conditions	Diabetes, thyroid problems, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, head or neck injury	GP checks and blood tests
Changes in blood flow (pulsatile tinnitus)	A whooshing or beating in time with your pulse	Urgent GP appointment

Jaw and tinnitus. A 2026 review of 34 studies found that about a third of people with jaw joint problems also had tinnitus. People with jaw problems were much more likely to have tinnitus than people without. The studies can’t prove that one causes the other. If your jaw aches or clicks, see our guides to jaw pain and teeth grinding.

Pulsatile tinnitus. Tinnitus UK explains that this comes from a change in blood flow near the ear, for example in severe anaemia, an overactive thyroid or hardened arteries. A doctor is more likely to find a specific cause than with ordinary tinnitus.

↑ Back to top

Tinnitus in both ears vs one ear

Both ears. This is the most common pattern. The NHS links gradual hearing loss in both ears to ageing or years of loud noise, which are also the main triggers for tinnitus. NICE, which sets NHS guidance, doesn’t advise a scan for tinnitus that is the same in both ears, doesn’t pulse and has no other worrying signs. That’s reassuring: it’s rarely a sign of something serious. You should still see a GP if it’s constant, getting worse or bothering you.

One ear. Short spells are common, often from earwax or an infection. But RNID advises seeing a GP if you consistently have tinnitus in only one ear. NICE says doctors should consider referring people with persistent one-sided tinnitus and should consider an MRI scan.

What you notice	What it often means	What to do
Similar in both ears, came on gradually	Age or noise-related hearing changes	See a GP if it’s constant or bothering you; ask about a hearing test
Both ears, but louder in one	Often the same causes, but worth checking	Tell your GP which side is louder
One ear that doesn’t go away	Needs assessment	See a GP; you may be referred
Beats in time with your pulse	Pulsatile tinnitus	Urgent GP appointment

↑ Back to top

Why is my tinnitus getting louder?

Tinnitus often goes up and down. A louder spell usually has a trigger and often settles once it passes.

Stress and anxiety. RNID explains that stress puts your body on alert and makes you more sensitive to sound. Tinnitus then seems louder, which adds to the stress. See stress symptoms.
Silence. The NHS advises against total silence, because tinnitus stands out more in a quiet room.
Focusing on it. The NHS says focusing on tinnitus can make it worse.
Tiredness and poor sleep. Tinnitus is harder to ignore when you’re worn out. See sleep deprivation.
Loud noise. RNID says ringing after loud noise is a warning that the noise was loud enough to damage your hearing. Tinnitus UK adds that the damage can’t be repaired.
A cold, earwax or an ear infection can make it louder for a while.
Changing hearing. RNID says hearing loss means you hear fewer background sounds, so tinnitus stands out. In a Swedish twin study, men who developed tinnitus had the biggest drop in high-pitched hearing.

Caffeine and alcohol: the evidence is mixed. People are often told to cut both, but research doesn’t clearly back it.

In a trial of 80 people with long-term tinnitus, a 300mg caffeine capsule made no clear difference compared with a placebo.
A US study following 65,085 women for 18 years found higher caffeine intake was linked to a lower chance of developing tinnitus.
A 2021 review found no link between alcohol and tinnitus across 11 studies.

If coffee doesn’t seem to bother you, there’s no need to quit. If you notice a pattern, cut down for two weeks and see. Late caffeine and alcohol both affect sleep, which makes tinnitus harder to live with. See does caffeine cause anxiety? and alcohol and sleep.

Louder at night? Usually the quiet room is to blame. Our guide to tinnitus at night covers sleep, sounds and night waking.

When “louder” needs a GP. The NHS says see a GP if your tinnitus is getting worse. A sudden change with hearing loss, vertigo or facial weakness needs urgent help (see red flags).

↑ Back to top

Is tinnitus hereditary?

Partly. Genes seem to play a role, especially in tinnitus that affects both ears, but they’re only part of the story.

Twins. A study of 10,464 Swedish twin pairs estimated that genes explain about 56% of the differences between people in tinnitus in both ears, but only 27% for one-sided tinnitus.
Adoptees. A Swedish study of 11,060 adopted people found those whose biological parent had diagnosed tinnitus were about twice as likely to have it. Having an adoptive parent with tinnitus made no difference, which points to genes rather than a shared home.
Specific genes. A 2024 review said the genetic picture is only “starting to be revealed”.

So a parent with tinnitus may raise your risk a little, but it isn’t fixed. Noise and hearing changes still matter, and protecting your ears is in your control.

↑ Back to top

What helps with tinnitus?

There’s no pill that switches tinnitus off. The aim is to treat any cause, then make tinnitus less noticeable and less upsetting. NICE asks doctors to reassure people that tinnitus is common, may go away by itself and that many people learn to live well with it.

What helps	What it involves	What the evidence says
Treating the cause	Removing earwax, treating an infection, reviewing medicines	Can ease or stop tinnitus when the cause is found
Hearing aids	For people with hearing loss	NICE recommends them if hearing loss affects communication; not advised if your hearing is normal
CBT for tinnitus	Talking therapy, often online first	The strongest evidence; a Cochrane review found it may reduce the impact on daily life
Sound therapy	Background sound, apps, sound generators	Many find it helpful, but trials are weak and NICE makes no recommendation either way
Tinnitus counselling and retraining therapy	Learning about tinnitus plus sound therapy	Limited evidence, according to Tinnitus UK
Relaxation and mindfulness	Breathing, yoga, mindfulness	Recommended by the NHS and RNID to break the stress cycle
Exercise, sleep and general health	Regular activity, a steady sleep routine, a balanced diet	Helps stress, which affects how much tinnitus bothers you
Protecting your ears	Earplugs at gigs and in noisy work, listening breaks	Prevents further noise damage
Support	Tinnitus UK helpline, support groups, forums	The NHS suggests considering a support group

CBT. A 2020 Cochrane review of 28 trials (2,733 adults) found CBT may reduce how much tinnitus affects quality of life. On a 100-point tinnitus scale, scores ended about 11 points lower than for people on a waiting list. It doesn’t remove the sound; it changes how you react to it. NICE recommends a stepped approach: digital CBT first, then group therapy such as mindfulness-based CBT or acceptance and commitment therapy, then one-to-one CBT.

Sound therapy. A 2018 Cochrane review of 8 trials found no evidence that hearing aids or sound generators beat no device, but the trials were small and low quality. People using any of the devices tended to improve, so it’s hard to know how much was the device itself. In practice, a gentle background sound is cheap, safe and worth trying. Our brown noise vs white noise guide compares the options.

Earwax. The NHS suggests 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil, 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days, or asking a pharmacist. Never use cotton buds, and don’t use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum. If it hasn’t cleared after 5 days, see the nurse at your GP surgery.

Protecting your ears. Tinnitus UK suggests carrying earplugs to loud events, standing away from speakers and taking listening breaks. But blocking out everyday quiet sound can make tinnitus stand out more. See earplugs for sleeping for when they make sense.

What helps quickly? Nothing reliably stops tinnitus on the spot. In a bad moment, put on gentle background sound, try slow breathing such as 4-7-8 breathing, and turn your attention to something absorbing.

Are there exercises for tinnitus? No specific exercise has been shown to stop it, but regular exercise helps with stress. If tinnitus changes when you move your jaw or neck, ask your GP; the NHS says a physiotherapist can advise on jaw exercises. Neck tension often comes with tension headaches too.

↑ Back to top

Supplements, acupuncture, ear drops and “cures”

Honestly, the evidence here is weak or missing. Tinnitus UK keeps an independent list of tinnitus treatments with safety and evidence ratings.

Option	What the evidence shows
Ginkgo biloba	A 2022 Cochrane review of 12 trials (1,915 people) found it may have little to no effect, and the evidence is very uncertain. Tinnitus UK warns about side effects and interactions with medicines.
Zinc	A 2016 Cochrane review of 3 trials found no evidence that zinc improves tinnitus.
Magnesium	Tinnitus UK rates the evidence as limited: few studies, and none in the last ten years. One small 2011 study of 26 people had no placebo group, so it can’t show that magnesium was responsible.
Melatonin	Low-quality evidence. It’s prescription-only in the UK: see melatonin in the UK.
Vitamin B12	Inconclusive. Tinnitus UK says there may be a weak benefit in people who are already low. See B12 deficiency symptoms.
Astaxanthin	We found no human trials for tinnitus on PubMed as of October 2026, only lab and animal studies on hearing damage.
Acupuncture	Tinnitus UK notes that blinded trials showed no clear effect. A 2022 overview of 14 reviews found mostly positive results, but rated almost all of them very low quality. Guidelines make no recommendation.
Ear drops	Only helpful if earwax is the cause. No drops treat tinnitus itself.
Betahistine	NICE says doctors should not offer it for tinnitus.
Online “tinnitus cures”	A 2026 review of 9 trials of over-the-counter products could draw no firm conclusions about any of them. Tinnitus UK has reviewed many branded products sold online, found little or no evidence for them, and raised safety concerns about some.

CBD isn’t a treatment for tinnitus either, and we don’t sell it as one. Be wary of anything promising a cure, and ask your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.

Where Evopure fits. No supplement has been proven to help tinnitus. Our Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is a berry-flavoured evening drink with magnesium bisglycinate and citrate, glycine, L-theanine, chamomile, passionflower, hops and oat straw. Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function and to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue. It isn’t a tinnitus treatment. It’s for adults only, and we don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.

↑ Back to top

Getting help: GP, audiology and Tinnitus UK

At the GP. RNID says your GP should ask what you hear, how it affects you, whether you have other symptoms and what medicines you take. They’ll look in your ears for earwax or an infection and may test your hearing. If you have other symptoms, they may arrange blood tests, as tinnitus is sometimes linked to diabetes or thyroid problems.

Referral. If there’s no clear cause, or tinnitus still bothers you, you may be referred to audiology, ENT (ear, nose and throat) or a tinnitus clinic. NICE says everyone with tinnitus should be offered a hearing assessment. RNID warns waits can be several months, and suggests telling your GP exactly how tinnitus affects your sleep, mood and work.

Tinnitus UK (formerly the British Tinnitus Association) runs a free helpline on 0800 018 0527, 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, plus web chat, email, text and local support groups. RNID also gives free information.

If tinnitus is affecting your mood. Feeling anxious or low is common, and the NHS says it’s a reason to see a GP. See how to deal with anxiety. If you feel unable to cope or have thoughts of harming yourself, call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time. If your life is at risk, call 999.

↑ Back to top

When to get urgent help

What you notice	What to do
Tinnitus after a head injury	Go to A&E or call 999
Tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, weakness in your face or vertigo (a spinning feeling)	Go to A&E or call 999. Don’t drive yourself
Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears	Urgent GP appointment or NHS 111. NICE says this should be seen within 24 hours
Tinnitus that beats in time with your pulse	Urgent GP appointment
Tinnitus in one ear that doesn’t go away	See a GP
Constant, getting worse, or affecting sleep, concentration or mood	See a GP

↑ Back to top

FAQs

What is the main cause of tinnitus?

Most often hearing loss from ageing or loud noise. Earwax, ear infections, Ménière’s disease, some medicines and stress can also cause it. Often no single cause is found.

Will tinnitus go away on its own?

It can. NICE says tinnitus may go away by itself, and Tinnitus UK says most people find it gets much better over time. If it has lasted a few weeks or months, see a GP, as treating a cause or starting CBT can help.

Is tinnitus in both ears serious?

Usually not. It’s most often linked to age or noise-related hearing changes. See a GP if it’s constant or getting worse. Tinnitus in one ear only, or that beats with your pulse, needs checking.

Why has my tinnitus suddenly got louder?

Common triggers are stress, tiredness, a quiet room, loud noise, a cold or earwax. It often settles. Get urgent help if it comes with sudden hearing loss, vertigo or weakness in your face.

Is tinnitus hereditary?

Partly. Swedish twin and adoption studies suggest genes play a role, especially in tinnitus in both ears. Noise and hearing changes still matter, so protecting your ears is worthwhile.

What is the best treatment for tinnitus?

There’s no single cure. CBT for tinnitus has the strongest evidence, hearing aids help if you have hearing loss, and many people find background sound and relaxation useful.

Do vitamins or supplements help tinnitus?

No supplement is proven to help. Cochrane reviews found ginkgo may have little to no effect and found no evidence for zinc. Evidence for magnesium is limited and old. Check with your GP or pharmacist before trying any.

↑ Back to top