Ringing Buzzing in Ears: Simple Causes You Should Know

You’re lying in bed one night, all is quiet in the home, and then you realize you’re noticing it for the first time some sort of ringing buzzing in ears. The ringing or buzzing could be new or perhaps you simply hadn’t previously noticed it.

The ringing or buzzing may be disturbing you, and even somewhat unsettling. You will likely find yourself wondering “Why am I experiencing this ringing and buzzing in my ears?” and possibly even jumping to the worst case scenarios you’ve ever heard of involving hearing loss and/or some other type of neurological problem.

In most cases, however, it is nothing so serious. The noise you’re hearing is usually referred to as tinnitus; and in many instances it’s caused by simple, easily correctable factors within your lifestyle. Here you will learn what tinnitus actually is, what typically triggers ringing and buzzing in the ears, how to know if you need to be worried, and what you can do to make the noise less bothersome when it becomes louder at night.

What Does Ringing Buzzing in Ears Mean?

You have tinnitus if you notice sounds in your ears with no actual outside sounds present. The type of sound could be similar to ring, buzz, hiss, hum, click or whoosh.

The most important thing to note about tinnitus is that no one else can hear these sounds but you.

So what causes you to hear ringing buzzing in ears in the first place? Tinnitus is a symptom of something going on in your ears or within your hearing system. That something is stressed, confused or upset and your brain has turned this irritation into a sound.

Tinnitus may:

• Be in just one ear or both ears at the same time
• Have a higher or lower pitch than normal
• Be almost silent or extremely loud
• Be short term and come and go, or remain for a long time

Some people experience tinnitus for a few minutes; other people experience it for a while. Both experiences occur commonly.

Common Sounds You Might Hear With Tinnitus

You might hear:

• A very high pitched ringing such as a whistle (a whistling tea kettle for example)
• A low buzz such as a refrigerator from years ago
• A soft hum, almost as if there is electrical energy in the walls
• Clicking or tapping sounds
• A whooshing sound that appears to be synchronized with your heart beat
• Cricket chirps or similar insect sounds in the summer.

Each of the above examples is referred to by people as “ringing buzzing in ears.” The sound you experience will likely be unique to you, and this is perfectly fine.

Even though you may feel as though you are alone with this, many individuals around you suffer from tinnitus. Many people simply do not discuss their tinnitus; however, rest assured you are not damaged, and you are certainly not the only one.

When Ringing Buzzing in Ears Is Usually Harmless

Short periods of tinnitus are also very common and mostly do not cause harm. Examples of short periods of tinnitus include:

• A sudden, intense ringing after being in a crowded concert hall or a noisy bar.
• A buzzing or humming after using power tools at a high level (such as chainsaws or drills).
• Additional noise when you’re under stress, ill or tired.

Most people experience tinnitus when they have spent time in a quiet room, especially late at night; this is because the brain has fewer distractions with which to compete. When your life becomes busy again, the tinnitus may become “background” noise again or disappear completely.

You’ll find red flag warnings below that signal if the tinnitus is becoming a concern. But right now, remember this: Most temporary cases of tinnitus are not medical emergencies. Your body may simply be reminding you to take better care of yourself and reduce the amount of noise exposure.

Simple Everyday Causes of Ringing Buzzing in Ears

A typical response to “What causes Ringing Buzzing in Ears?” would be a straightforward and actionable answer. The good news is that many of the causes will be recognizable or manageable on an everyday basis. Here are some simple and common explanations:

Too Much Earwax Blocking the Ear Canal

Although earwax may seem dull, it has an important job. Earwax helps to shield the internal skin lining of the ear canal. The wax catches dust and debris and, normally, will work its way outward as part of the body’s normal cleansing process.

However, problems arise when:

1. Wax accumulates at a rate greater than it leaves the ear.
2. Wax is pushed farther into the ear by inserting foreign bodies (cotton swabs, etc.)
3. The wax dries and becomes a plug in the ear.

Some common symptoms you may experience if wax builds up in the ear include:

1. Feeling of fullness in one ear.
2. Muffled or echoing sensation in one ear.
3. Sudden onset of tinnitus (ringing or buzzing), typically in just one ear.

Tinnitus is a result of your brain filling the space where sound was supposed to be heard. Because your brain is accustomed to hearing a consistent level of sound, when it is blocked by wax buildup, it creates ringing or buzzing as a substitute for what would have otherwise been heard.

Do not insert cotton swabs or other foreign objects deeply into your ears. This may cause the wax to build up further or damage your eardrum. Doctors and nurses are trained to safely remove blockages caused by excess earwax; tinnitus associated with excessive earwax also frequently resolves after removal of the blockage.

Loud Noise From Music, Work, or Hobbies

One of the most common sources of tinnitus are loud sounds. In the inner ear there are many tiny hair cells that take the vibrations from sound and send them to your brain as electrical impulses. When these hair cells are exposed to excessive levels of noise they become stressed and may be damaged.

You may hear what you think is a ringing or buzzing in your ears:

– After going to a concert or nightclub

– After wearing earphones/headphones at a high volume

– After being around power tools, engines, or weapons

– After driving a motorcycle with no ear protection

– This may only be temporary (a few minutes, a few hours) but if you continue to have loud noises damaging your hair cells it could lead to permanent hearing loss and chronic tinnitus.

Useful tips:

– Lower the volume when using earbuds

– Take regular breaks while listening to music or other loud noises

– Use earplugs when attending concerts, at work, or doing noisy hobbies

Protecting your hearing today will protect your hearing tomorrow.

Stress, Anxiety, and Lack of Sleep

Your nervous system and your hearing are also closely linked together. Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep all put your brain into an “on” state. Your brain then becomes more aware of every sound, both outside your body and within your own body.

Tinnitus will often fit into this type of pattern. You hear some small amount of ringing, become concerned about it, your level of stress increases, and before long, that ring seems to have increased in volume. This cycle can be very draining.

You may experience the same reasons why you tend to perceive ringing noises in your ears at night as being more bothersome. The room is quiet, you are left to focus on your own thoughts, and your brain focuses in on the sound.

There are many ways to reduce overall physical tension and decrease how loud tinnitus appears to be:

• Gentle walking or stretching to relax your muscles
• Slow breathing (even just slow enough to allow you to feel relaxed)
• Taking short breaks from looking at computer screens
• Going to bed at a consistent time each evening

While the noise will likely continue, you may find that the degree to which it bothers you decreases significantly when your entire body is more relaxed.

Common Medicines That May Trigger Tinnitus

Some medicines can be irritating to the ear/hearing systems in some individuals. Certain medications have been shown to cause tinnitus as a known side effect when administered at high doses. Some examples of these types of medications include:

• Aspirin taken at high doses
• Medications classified under the pain relief category of the NSAIDs
• Certain classes of antibiotics
• Medications commonly referred to as “diuretics,” which are often prescribed to treat hypertension.

This does not indicate that these medications are inherently “bad” (many are important and useful). The implication is simply that your ears may react differently than others with the same medication.

If you start a new medicine and experience either ringing buzzing in ears, it would be best to discuss this with both your doctor and/or pharmacist. Never discontinue taking a prescription without consulting with one of these professionals first. They will assist you in weighing the possible benefits against the potential risk to your hearing, or provide alternative treatments to those that may be difficult on your ears.

Ear Infections, Colds, and Sinus Problems

If you most often hear ringing buzzing in ears during nighttime hours, you’re not imagining it. While it may seem like the ringing is much louder in the evening than it was earlier in the day (even though it hasn’t actually changed), there are two basic reasons for that:

• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.
• Some mild ear pain or discomfort.
• Hearing muffled sounds.
• Temporary tinnitus.

In most of the cases above, the ringing and other symptoms will go away once the infection or congestion has cleared. It’s usually just a matter of waiting this out and giving your body the chance to heal.

However, there are some serious symptoms of ear and sinus infections which require medical treatment, including:

• Severe ear pain.
• A fever.
• Sudden hearing loss.
• Discharge or pus draining from the ear.

These are symptoms of an infection which requires treatment with antibiotics.

Why Ringing Noise in Ears at Night Feels Worse

If you mostly notice ringing buzzing in ears at night, you are not imagining it. The sound often feels louder after dark, even if it did not truly change.

There are two main reasons: silence and focus.

How Silence and Focus Make Tinnitus Stand Out

You are constantly hearing sounds during the day; whether it’s the sound of vehicles passing by, people talking, music, or the hum of an electronic device. These sounds act as a layer of cover for tinnitus (the inner ringing/buzzing).

When nighttime arrives, this “layer” is removed. With a quiet space around you, the tinnitus has no distractions from the constant ringing buzzing in ears you experience. As with all sounds that come to a stop, your brain picks up on the tinnitus. Think of it like being in a completely quiet room and finally hearing the ticking of a clock.

Additionally, at night you’re trying to sleep. You want your brain to relax and rest, but instead your brain focuses on the constant ringing buzzing in ears. In doing so, your brain will magnify the perceived size of the tinnitus and make it seem louder than it actually is.

Simple Nighttime Habits That Can Calm the Noise

While you may be unable to completely stop tinnitus as if turning it off with an on/off switch, you are able to make going to bed more manageable by adding a few gentle, realistic habits:

1. Add some type of background noise (fans, low volume music, nature sounds, white noise apps).
2. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. The consistent sleep pattern will also help your body relax faster.
3. Limit your consumption of caffeine later in the day (coffee, energy drinks, etc.). Caffeine is an excitatory stimulant which will continue to have your nervous system “on” during the night hours.
4. Create a quick wind down activity before you go to bed (reading a book, stretching, slow breathing, etc.).
5. Place your phone in another room from where you plan to sleep. This will prevent you from scrolling through and keeping your brain engaged in every little body sensation you may feel that could be perceived as tinnitus.

How to Stop Ringing Buzzing in Ears or Make It Quieter

There is a strong desire to eliminate ringing or buzzing in ears completely; that is understandable. In some cases, the ringing will cease once the underlying cause has been resolved (i.e., removal of impacted cerumen, resolution of infections).

In other instances, while the ringing may continue to be present, there are ways to reduce the level of annoyance caused by it. This can be thought of as similar to living close to railroad tracks. The initial week(s) appear to be impossible to deal with and then the brain adapts and becomes accustomed to tuning out the constant noise.

Easy Self Care Steps You Can Try at Home

While self-care cannot resolve all cases of Tinnitus, by adding more control to your day, self-care may be able to help reduce the severity of symptoms associated with Tinnitus.

Some ways to do this include:

• Use earplugs when attending loud events (music festivals etc.) and lower the volume on your headphones.
• Take short quiet breaks throughout the day (step outside, take a walk, etc.).
• Manage your stress levels as much as possible. Take a few short walks, stretch, or engage in a simple hobby, as these can help calm your nervous system.
• Be mindful of the amount of Caffeine, Alcohol, and Nicotine that you consume. While they are safe for most people, each has been known to cause an increase in Tinnitus in others. Reduce or eliminate them, and monitor the effects that you experience.
• If you have allergies or a sinus issue treat it. Your doctor likely suggested treatment for the congestion, which should also relieve the pressure in your ears.

Small amounts of daily self-care can lead to a reduction in the severity of the symptoms associated with Tinnitus and improve the way you feel.

When You Should See a Doctor or Hearing Specialist

There are some symptoms of Tinnitus that require prompt evaluation by a Doctor or Hearing Specialist. Some symptoms include:

• Sudden onset of Tinnitus in one ear.
• Tinnitus with Sudden hearing loss.
• Severe Dizziness/Balance issues.
• Pain; discharge; or Bleeding from the ear.
• A Pulsating Sound that is synchronized with the beat of your heart.
• Ringing that continues for several days after being removed from an environment with loud noises.

In addition, if you continue to experience Ringing/Buzzing in your Ears for more than a few weeks you may want to consider getting a hearing evaluation. This will allow a Professional to evaluate you for potentially treatable causes and recommend devices/tools that would be appropriate for your needs.

You don’t necessarily need to “live with it” without receiving additional Support.

Treatments and Tools That May Help Long Term Tinnitus

If tinnitus persists, additional treatment alternatives remain available:

These include:

• Hearing aids. If you have hearing loss, hearing aids may be able to restore external auditory input. Many individuals who experience tinnitus also suffer from some degree of hearing loss, which allows them to perceive their tinnitus as less prominent when they can hear other outside sounds.
• Sound therapy. Sound therapy generates low intensity sounds (such as white noise or soft background music) that either mask or “blend” the individual’s tinnitus. The goal of sound therapy is to make the tinnitus less bothersome.
• Tinnitus retraining or counseling. A trained therapist provides guidance and support in helping an individual modify his/her brain response to the perceived tinnitus, thereby reducing the anxiety and/or fear associated with the tinnitus.

The results vary widely among individuals; however, many people report a significant reduction in symptoms over time. It is not about achieving perfection. Rather, it is about finding greater comfort within one’s own mind.

Conclusion

The ringing buzzing in ears may be confusing and/or alarming and especially when you experience this while in a silent area. For most, this comes from the normal things we all do; such as, exposure to loud noises, too much earwax, excessive stress, or from being sick with a cold or flu type illness and should not be considered a serious issue.

Ringing in the ears while sleeping will likely feel more intense due to the fact that silence/quietness and attention brings the noise to the forefront; not because your ear(s) have “broken”. Background sounds (radio, music, etc.) can provide you with a sense of calmness in the evening by helping to drown out the noise. Changing your sleep patterns can also lead to improved sleep and less noise during those hours.

Take care of your hearing, pay attention to your body and seek professional assistance if your symptoms occur suddenly, severely or persistently. Many people find relief from their tinnitus over time with the appropriate support and some have found that they can live with tinnitus but it is no longer a significant component of their lives. You deserve this type of consistent, hopeful peace of mind.