•  Ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, roaring, or whistling noises in the ears. These problems can persist or come and go.

•  Problems sleeping.

•  Emotional distress.

•  Hearing loss.

•  Ear disorders, such as labyrinthitis. This is swelling of canals in the ear that help maintain balance.

•  Persistent allergies.

•  High blood pressure.

•  A reaction to some medications. These include: Aspirin; levodopa (for Parkinson’s disease); quinidine (for irregular heartbeats); propranolol (for high blood pressure, etc.); and quinine (for leg cramps).

•  Ménières disease. With this, dizziness, ringing sounds, and hearing loss occur together. Symptoms come and go.

•  A hearing aid that plays a soothing sound to drown out the tinnitus.

•  A tinnitus masker. This is worn behind the ear. It makes a subtle noise to distract the person from tinnitus. The masker does not interfere with hearing and speech.

•  Relaxation therapy.

•  Educational counseling or support groups for tinnitus.

•  Sleeping pills, if needed.

•  Wear earplugs or earmuffs when exposed to loud noises. This can prevent noise-induced tinnitus.

•  Treat an ear infection right away.

•  For mild cases of tinnitus, play the radio or a white noise tape. White noise is a low, constant sound.

•  Use biofeedback or other relaxation techniques.

•  Limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and aspirin.

•  Talk to your doctor if you use the drugs listed in Causes on this page.

•  If the noises started during or after traveling in an airplane, pinch your nostrils and blow through your nose. When you fly, chew gum or suck on hard candy to prevent ear popping and ringing sounds in the ear. If possible, avoid flying when you have an upper respiratory or ear infection.