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.

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.

What Is Tinnitus? Symptoms, Types & What You Need to Know

Q: 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.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. Often described as ringing in the ears, tinnitus can manifest as buzzing, hissing, whooshing, humming, or even musical tones. It affects approximately 15-20% of the population, with higher prevalence among older adults.

While tinnitus itself isn't a disease, it's a symptom that can result from various underlying conditions. Understanding what tinnitus is—and isn't—is the first step toward managing it effectively.

How Tinnitus Sounds

Tinnitus sounds different for everyone. Common descriptions include:

Ringing — A high-pitched tone, often continuous
Buzzing — Similar to electrical interference or bees
Hissing — Like air escaping or static noise
Whooshing — A rhythmic sound, sometimes matching your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus)
Humming — A low-frequency drone
Clicking — Sharp, repetitive sounds

The sound may be constant or intermittent, affect one or both ears, and vary in pitch and volume throughout the day.

Types of Tinnitus

Subjective Tinnitus

The most common type, subjective tinnitus can only be heard by the person experiencing it. It accounts for over 99% of all tinnitus cases and is typically caused by auditory nerve or processing issues.

Objective Tinnitus

Rare and accounting for less than 1% of cases, objective tinnitus can be heard by a doctor during examination. It's usually caused by blood vessel problems, muscle contractions, or inner ear bone conditions.

Pulsatile Tinnitus

A subtype where the sound pulses in rhythm with your heartbeat. This often indicates a vascular cause and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Who Gets Tinnitus?

Tinnitus can affect anyone, but certain factors increase risk:

Age — Most common in people over 50
Noise exposure — Musicians, construction workers, military personnel
Hearing loss — Often accompanies age-related or noise-induced hearing loss
Gender — Slightly more common in men
Certain medications — Some antibiotics, cancer drugs, and high doses of aspirin
Health conditions — High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes

Is Tinnitus Serious?

For most people, tinnitus is not a sign of a serious medical condition. However, you should see a doctor if:

Tinnitus develops suddenly without apparent cause
You experience hearing loss alongside tinnitus
You have pulsatile tinnitus (rhythmic with heartbeat)
Tinnitus is only in one ear
You experience dizziness or balance problems
Tinnitus significantly impacts your quality of life

The Impact on Daily Life

While tinnitus varies in severity, many people experience:

Sleep difficulties — The quiet of night makes tinnitus more noticeable
Concentration problems — Intrusive sounds can disrupt focus
Emotional distress — Anxiety, frustration, or depression
Social challenges — Difficulty following conversations

The good news is that effective management strategies exist. With the right approach, the vast majority of people with tinnitus can significantly reduce its impact on their lives.

Moving Forward

Understanding tinnitus is empowering. While there's currently no universal cure, sound therapy and habituation training help 74-84% of people significantly reduce their tinnitus distress. Many report their tinnitus "fading into the background" after consistent treatment.

The StillWell Program combines personalised sound therapy with a structured 12-week habituation program, giving your brain the tools it needs to learn to filter out tinnitus naturally.