Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It's commonly described as ringing in the ears, but can also sound like buzzing, hissing, whooshing, or humming. Tinnitus affects approximately 15-20% of people and is especially common in older adults. While there's no medical cure, sound therapy and habituation programs can significantly reduce its impact.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be caused by exposure to loud noises, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, ear bone changes, or underlying conditions like Meniere's disease. Stress, anxiety, and certain medications can also trigger or worsen tinnitus. In many cases, the exact cause is unknown, but effective treatments exist regardless of the cause.

Can tinnitus be cured?

While there's currently no medical cure for most types of tinnitus, it can be effectively managed. Sound therapy and habituation training help 74-84% of people significantly reduce their tinnitus distress. Many people report their tinnitus 'fading into the background' after consistent treatment, even though the sound may technically still be present.

How to stop tinnitus immediately?

While tinnitus can't be stopped instantly, you can get immediate relief by masking the sound with external audio like white noise, nature sounds, or soft music. The StillWell app provides 84+ therapeutic sounds designed specifically for tinnitus relief. For long-term improvement, consistent daily sound therapy over 8-12 weeks trains your brain to filter out the tinnitus signal.

How to stop ringing in ears?

To reduce ringing in your ears, try sound therapy with white noise, pink noise, or nature sounds. Avoid silence, which makes tinnitus more noticeable. The most effective long-term approach is habituation therapy—a structured program that trains your brain to ignore the ringing. StillWell's 12-week program guides you through this process with personalised sounds matched to your specific tinnitus.

What is tinnitus retraining therapy?

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is a clinical approach that combines sound therapy with counselling to help your brain reclassify tinnitus as a neutral signal. StillWell is based on the same habituation principles as TRT, offering a structured 12-week program with therapeutic sounds and educational content to help your brain learn to filter out tinnitus naturally.

What sounds help with tinnitus?

Different sounds work for different types of tinnitus. StillWell offers 84+ therapeutic sounds across 9 categories including noise colours (white, pink, brown noise), nature sounds, binaural beats, solfeggio frequencies, ACRN therapy tones, and sleep blends. The app matches sounds to your specific tinnitus type for maximum relief.

Is sound therapy for tinnitus scientifically proven?

Yes, sound therapy for tinnitus is supported by peer-reviewed research. Cochrane systematic reviews and VA/DoD clinical practice guidelines show that structured sound therapy programs achieve 74-84% improvement rates in tinnitus distress when followed consistently over 8-12 weeks.

Can tinnitus go away on its own?

Temporary tinnitus from loud noise exposure often fades within hours or days. However, chronic tinnitus lasting more than 3 months rarely disappears completely on its own. The good news is that with proper treatment like sound therapy and habituation training, most people experience significant improvement—many report barely noticing their tinnitus after completing a structured program.

Is StillWell free to download?

StillWell is free to download and includes access to Week 1 of The StillWell Program. A premium subscription unlocks all 12 weeks, the full sound library of 84+ sounds, and advanced features like progress tracking and personalised recommendations.

Tinnitus Causes & Symptoms: Understanding Your Condition

Tinnitus can stem from numerous causes, and understanding what triggers or worsens your symptoms is an important step toward effective management. While the exact cause is often difficult to pinpoint, identifying contributing factors can help guide your treatment approach.

Common Causes of Tinnitus

Noise-Induced Hearing Damage

Exposure to loud sounds is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. This includes:

Occupational noise — Construction, manufacturing, military service
Recreational noise — Concerts, headphones at high volume, motorsports
Sudden loud sounds — Explosions, gunfire, fireworks

Noise damage harms the delicate hair cells in your inner ear. When these cells are damaged, they can send false signals to your brain, which interprets them as sound.

Age-Related Hearing Loss

As we age, the structures of our inner ear naturally deteriorate. This age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) often brings tinnitus with it. It typically affects both ears and develops gradually after age 50.

Earwax Blockage

A buildup of earwax can block the ear canal, causing hearing changes and tinnitus. This is one of the most easily treatable causes—removal of the blockage often resolves the tinnitus.

Ear Bone Changes

Otosclerosis, an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, can cause tinnitus along with hearing loss. This condition tends to run in families.

Medical Conditions

Several health conditions are associated with tinnitus:

Meniere's disease — An inner ear disorder causing vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus
TMJ disorders — Problems with the jaw joint can affect your ears
Head or neck injuries — Trauma can damage auditory nerves
Acoustic neuroma — A benign tumour on the nerve connecting ear to brain
Blood vessel disorders — High blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or malformed vessels

Medications

Over 200 medications list tinnitus as a potential side effect, including:

High doses of aspirin
Certain antibiotics (aminoglycosides)
Loop diuretics
Some cancer medications
Quinine-based antimalarial drugs

Medication-induced tinnitus often improves when the medication is stopped or dosage reduced.

Symptoms of Tinnitus

The Primary Symptom

The hallmark of tinnitus is hearing sounds that have no external source:

Ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming
Sounds in one or both ears
Constant or intermittent perception
Varying volume and pitch

Associated Symptoms

Tinnitus often comes with related challenges:

Hearing difficulties — Especially in noisy environments
Sound sensitivity — Hyperacusis, where normal sounds seem too loud
Ear fullness — A feeling of pressure in the ears
Headaches — Particularly with TMJ-related tinnitus

Secondary Symptoms

The impact of tinnitus extends beyond the sound itself:

Sleep disturbances — Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Concentration problems — Trouble focusing on tasks
Fatigue — From poor sleep and constant mental effort
Mood changes — Anxiety, irritability, or depression
Social withdrawal — Avoiding situations that worsen symptoms

What Makes Tinnitus Worse?

Several factors can temporarily increase tinnitus perception:

Stress and anxiety — Often creates a feedback loop with tinnitus
Fatigue — Lack of sleep amplifies perception
Caffeine and alcohol — Can trigger or worsen symptoms in some people
Silence — Makes tinnitus more noticeable
Salt — May worsen tinnitus in those with Meniere's disease
Certain medications — Including those that cause it initially

When to Seek Medical Attention

See a healthcare provider if you experience:

Sudden onset of tinnitus, especially in one ear
Tinnitus following a head injury
Pulsatile tinnitus (rhythmic with heartbeat)
Tinnitus accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness, or pain
Symptoms significantly affecting your quality of life

Managing Your Symptoms

While causes vary, effective management strategies are consistent. Sound therapy helps by:

Reducing the contrast between tinnitus and silence
Providing distraction from the internal sound
Promoting habituation—training your brain to filter out tinnitus

The StillWell Program offers 84+ therapeutic sounds across 9 categories, allowing you to find the perfect match for your specific tinnitus. Combined with a structured 12-week habituation program, it gives your brain the consistent input it needs to learn to ignore tinnitus naturally.