Some possible signs that tinnitus is going away include a decrease in the duration or volume of tinnitus, improvements in sleep and mood, and improved pressure sensation in the ear.

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Tinnitus is the name for a ringing sound in the ears. Tinnitus may also cause a person to hear the following sounds:

  • roaring
  • clicking
  • hissing
  • buzzing

Tinnitus affects approximately 10% of the population of the United States.

There is currently no cure for permanent tinnitus. However, sometimes, tinnitus can be temporary and may go away on its own.

This article outlines signs that a person’s tinnitus is going away, the causes of temporary vs. permanent tinnitus, and when to see a doctor.

The duration of a person’s tinnitus can vary. Some people have almost constant symptoms, and others have symptoms that come and go throughout the day. Other people also experience tinnitus that occurs at least once a week.

In other cases, it may not go away and can worsen over time.

If a person’s tinnitus begins to shorten in duration, this may be a sign that it is going away.

The volume of tinnitus sounds can vary from person to person. Some people report their tinnitus to be mild, while others report their tinnitus to be loud.

Sometimes, a person’s tinnitus may begin mild and progress, becoming louder over time.

If the volume of a person’s tinnitus decreases over time, this may be a sign that their tinnitus is going away.

In some cases, tinnitus can affect a person’s ability to get the right amount of sleep.

Studies have also linked tinnitus with various psychological and psychiatric disorders. The most common is depression. These studies suggest that tinnitus can trigger depression in people already prone to it.

If a person notices that their sleep has improved, this may be a sign that their tinnitus is going away.

Another sign of this may be a gradual improvement in mood and other symptoms of depression.

Common symptoms of depression include:

  • feeling sad and anxious
  • having a low mood
  • feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
  • irritability and frustration
  • restlessness
  • loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

However, these improvements may also signify that the person is coming to terms with their tinnitus and is learning to manage the condition effectively.

People with tinnitus may sometimes experience increased ear pressure which may cause or worsen tinnitus.

This symptom may occur alongside hearing loss or vertigo. Tinnitus may appear worse because of increased middle ear pressure. Middle ear pressure typically occurs due to eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).

ETD is often the main reason people with consistent or almost constant tinnitus feel pressure in the ear and report that their tinnitus will get worse or louder for a little bit, then decrease again to a constant level.

In some cases, these symptoms can go away on their own. If a person feels that the sensation of increased pressure within their ear is reducing over time, this may be a sign that their tinnitus is going away.

Tinnitus can be temporary or permanent. If a person has permanent tinnitus, there is no medical cure. However, they can use certain treatments to manage their tinnitus and improve their quality of life.

Temporary tinnitus

For some people, tinnitus may be temporary. A person may experience tinnitus as a symptom of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

NIHL occurs due to long-term exposure to a noisy environment. A person’s NIHL symptoms can go away after leaving the noisy environment. However, with multiple noise exposures, tinnitus may become permanent.

High doses of aspirin can also cause a person to experience temporary tinnitus. This tinnitus goes away when the person stops taking the aspirin.

Other possible causes of temporary tinnitus include:

In the above cases, a person’s tinnitus will usually disappear once they successfully treat the underlying cause.

Permanent tinnitus

Some medications may cause tinnitus that can become permanent. These include:

Tinnitus may also occur as a symptom of age-related hearing loss. If this is the case, a person’s tinnitus may be permanent.

Ménière’s disease is another possible cause of tinnitus. Ménière’s disease occurs due to fluid buildup in some parts of the inner ear. This can cause a person to experience the following:

  • vertigo
  • tinnitus
  • hearing loss

There is no cure for Ménière’s disease, which often progresses slowly. It can significantly impact a person’s social functioning. Certain treatments can help manage the symptoms of Ménière’s disease.

If someone experiences tinnitus or other ear symptoms, they should speak with a doctor. This is because tinnitus may be a symptom of another condition that requires treatment.

The doctor can check if there is an obvious cause of tinnitus, such as earwax blocking the ear canal.

A doctor will then conduct tests to determine the underlying cause of tinnitus.

Possible causes of tinnitus include:

A doctor may advise the person to speak with an audiologist — a hearing professional who can measure the person’s hearing and evaluate their tinnitus.

Learn more about types of hearing doctors.

Tinnitus is the name for ringing in the ears. Some people describe tinnitus as more of a clicking, roaring, hissing, or buzzing sound.

Signs that a person’s tinnitus is going away include a shortening duration of tinnitus, a decreasing volume of tinnitus, sleep and mood improvements, and an improvement in the sensation of pressure in the ears.

In some cases, tinnitus is permanent. However, other people may have temporary tinnitus that goes away.