If your ears ring, soft background noise is one of the things people try, and the major health bodies mention it. The NIDCD says sound may work by masking the ringing, helping you grow accustomed to it, or distracting you. Put simply, background noise for ringing ears may make the ringing less noticeable. It isn't a treatment. The first step is a visit to a doctor. This guide covers what the sources say, who to see, and which signs mean you should not wait. It is part of our ringing ears section.
What is ringing in the ears?
It is a sound only you can hear. The NIDCD defines tinnitus as the perception of sound that does not have an external source, so other people cannot hear it. Most people describe ringing, though some hear roaring or buzzing. Surveys estimate that 10 to 25% of adults have it.
The NIDCD is plain about the limits. Nothing today makes tinnitus go away for good, although there are ways to reduce symptoms. When a doctor finds an underlying cause, such as earwax or a jaw joint problem, dealing with that cause can lessen the sound. That is one reason the visit comes first.
What do audiologists suggest about background noise for ringing ears?
They list it as one option, to be set up with their help. ASHA, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, describes sound as a way to distract, mask or get used to the ringing. Its examples of nonwearable devices that provide background sound are bedside white noise or nature-sound devices, fans, and radios or televisions. ASHA adds that this kind of sound may especially help people whose ringing makes sleep difficult, and that audiologists make the recommendations.
The NIDCD names the same kinds of things. Tabletop or smartphone sound generators are typically used as an aid for relaxation or sleep. Placed near the bed, they can play sounds such as waves or rain. A radio or a household fan can do the same job.
The NHS adds one more point. It advises against total silence, and suggests that soft music or sounds may distract you from the ringing.
Keep the sound low. Nothing in these sources asks you to cover the ringing completely, and a loud sound all night brings its own problems. Our piece on how loud is too loud for listening all night goes through the published limits.
Who should you see, and in what order?
Start with your primary care doctor. The NIDCD says this person checks for earwax or fluid from an ear infection, and looks at your history and your medications. You may then be referred to an ear, nose and throat doctor (an otolaryngologist) and to an audiologist, who can measure your hearing and evaluate your tinnitus.
| Who | What they do |
|---|---|
| Primary care doctor | Checks for blockages and other common causes, then refers you |
| Ear, nose and throat doctor | Looks for physical causes such as earwax or middle ear problems |
| Audiologist | Measures your hearing and recommends sound options |
The American Tinnitus Association says to seek help if the ringing lasts more than 7 days, is bothersome, or disrupts your sleep or concentration. It also notes that not all audiologists are trained in tinnitus management, and that if you are told you have no options, you can ask for a second opinion. The NHS gives similar advice: see a GP if it is regular, constant or getting worse.
Which signs need prompt care?
Most ringing isn't an emergency. The American Tinnitus Association describes it as very rarely a sign of one. A few patterns still need quick attention, and the NHS lists them:
- Go to A&E or call 999 if you have ringing after a head injury, or with sudden hearing loss, weakness in the muscles of your face, or a spinning sensation (vertigo).
- Ask for an urgent GP appointment if the sound beats in time with your pulse. ASHA also says pulsing ringing may be related to a vascular issue that needs medical follow-up.
In the United States, the American Tinnitus Association says ringing that began after a head or neck injury needs medical care immediately. If you are unsure, call your doctor or local emergency number rather than waiting.
Try it: a quiet layer at bedtime
Pick one steady sound and keep it soft, just enough to sit alongside the ringing rather than cover it. Many people choose a fan, rain or a low brown noise. Our page on brown noise describes how it sounds. Set a timer so it fades out instead of running all night, and tell your audiologist what you used, so they can adjust the advice to you. If you want to know how people use sound through the night, we cover that in sleeping with white noise all night.
Hush Machine, coming to iPhone, makes its noise live on the phone, so nothing loops or repeats. One dial runs from white to deep brown, layers such as rain, ocean and fan can sit underneath, and a timer and fade are built in. It plays a steady, quiet sound. It isn't a treatment.
Bottom line
Soft background sound is on the lists of the NIDCD, ASHA and the NHS, and it may make ringing less noticeable. See your primary care doctor first, ask about an audiologist, and keep the volume low. Take ringing after a head injury, ringing with sudden hearing loss, facial weakness or vertigo, and ringing that pulses with your heartbeat as reasons to get medical care without delay. If the ringing keeps you from sleeping or concentrating for more than a week, that is a reason to book a visit too.
Questions
- Can background sound make ringing in the ears go away?
- No. The NIDCD says nothing today makes tinnitus go away for good, though there are ways to reduce symptoms. Soft background sound may make the ringing less noticeable while it plays. Ask your doctor or an audiologist about your own case.
- Should I sit in silence when my ears ring?
- The NHS advises against total silence and says soft music or sounds may distract you from the ringing. Keep whatever you play low.
- Which sound should I use?
- The health bodies name no single colour or sound. They list a bedside sound generator, waves or rain, a household fan and a radio. Try a few at a low level and tell your audiologist what you notice.
- Who should I see first for ringing in the ears?
- Your primary care doctor. The NIDCD says they check for earwax or fluid from an ear infection, and may refer you to an ear, nose and throat doctor and an audiologist.
- When is ringing in the ears urgent?
- The NHS says to go to A&E or call 999 after a head injury, or if it comes with sudden hearing loss, weakness in the muscles of your face or a spinning sensation. Ringing that beats in time with your pulse needs an urgent GP appointment.