The science: Approximately one in three adults over 65 has some degree of hearing loss, and a significant percentage of those also experience tinnitus.
What you can do: Regular hearing tests. Hearing aids can help—by amplifying external sounds, they make the internal tinnitus less noticeable.
3. Earwax Blockage (The Easiest Fix)
Sometimes the answer is simple. A buildup of earwax can block your ear canal, change the pressure in your ear, and cause tinnitus.
The science: Earwax impaction is a surprisingly common cause of tinnitus. Removing the wax often resolves the ringing completely.
What you can do: See a doctor. Do not use cotton swabs (Q-tips) to dig at earwax—you’ll push it deeper and risk damaging your eardrum. Doctors have safe methods (irrigation, suction, or manual removal).
4. Medications (Ototoxicity)
Over 200 medications are known to be ototoxic—meaning they can damage the inner ear and cause tinnitus. In some cases, the tinnitus is temporary. In others, it’s permanent.
Common culprits:
