Tinnitus is more than just a ringing in your ears. For many people, it is a constant distraction. It can affect sleep, focus, and mental health.
Understanding the real causes of tinnitus can empower you to take control and find lasting tinnitus relief.
At Treble Health, we categorize tinnitus into three core types:
- Cochlear Tinnitus, caused by inner ear damage
- Central Tinnitus, linked to brain activity and emotional stress
- Somatic Tinnitus, triggered by jaw, neck, or physical tension
Let’s explore the tinnitus causes, symptoms, and best treatments for each type of tinnitus.
Cochlear Tinnitus: Inner Ear Damage
Cochlear tinnitus begins in the cochlea, a spiral structure in the inner ear that helps your brain process sound. Damaged hair cells in the cochlea can send distorted signals to the brain. This can make you hear ringing, even when there is no sound.
"Treble Health helped me turn down the sound of my tinnitus. Now I can breathe, and get on with my life!"
"Treble Health helped me turn down the sound of my tinnitus. Now I can breathe, and get on with my life!"
– Elisa
Book a free consultation to learn which Treble Health solution is right for you. Join Elisa and thousands more who have found lasting tinnitus relief.
Common Causes of Cochlear Tinnitus:
- Loud noise exposure from concerts, headphones, or machinery
- Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)
- Ototoxic medications like certain antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs
- Meniere’s disease, which also includes symptoms of vertigo
Tinnitus Symptoms:
- High-pitched ringing, buzzing, or any other sounds
- Constant or intermittent
- Fluctuating or steady in volume
- May or may not include sensitivity to loud noises
Treatment Options for Cochlear Tinnitus:
- Hearing aids that amplify natural sound may reduce ringing in ears
- Sound therapy for tinnitus using sounds, like white noise or nature sounds
- Lifestyle changes like reducing noise exposure and reviewing medications with an audiologist
Tinnitus linked to cochlear damage often coexists with hearing loss. Hearing aids not only improve hearing of external sounds, but can help mask the perception of internal tinnitus.
Using tinnitus therapy options like masking devices and sound generators can significantly improve daily comfort.
Central Tinnitus: Brain and Emotional Triggers
Central tinnitus doesn’t just start in the ear, it is connected to the brain’s response to internal stress signals. Anxiety, PTSD, or sleep issues can make your brain interpret silence as noise.
When the nervous system is very alert, it makes your brain more sensitive to sounds. This can worsen tinnitus symptoms.
Common Triggers of Central Tinnitus:
- Chronic stress and anxiety
- PTSD or trauma
- Insomnia or poor sleep quality
- Depression or mental health challenges
Symptoms of Central Tinnitus:
- Tinnitus that worsens with stress or anxiety
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Brain fog or emotional fatigue
Treatment Options:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to shift focus away from tinnitus and manage emotional distress
- Relaxation and mindfulness-based stress reduction to calm the nervous system
- Tinnitus therapy, like Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), reconditions the brain’s response to internal noise
Stress and tinnitus often feed into each other. At Treble Health, we help patients escape this cycle. We offer emotional support, therapy, and proven tinnitus treatment methods.
Somatic Tinnitus: Physical Triggers and Muscular Imbalances
Physical movement or pressure influences somatic tinnitus, or somatosensory tinnitus. This often happens in the neck, jaw, or upper spine.
People commonly associate this form of tinnitus with TMJ tinnitus, whiplash, poor posture, or muscle strain.
Causes of Somatic Tinnitus:
- TMJ disorder, or jaw joint dysfunction
- Neck strain or whiplash injuries
- Bruxism (teeth grinding at night)
- Tight muscles in the shoulders or back
How to Identify Somatic Tinnitus:
- Tinnitus changes pitch or volume when moving your jaw or neck
- Jaw popping, locking, or stiffness
- Pain or tension in the neck, back, or face
Treatment for Somatic Tinnitus:
- Physical therapy to relieve muscle tension
- Chiropractic care to realign musculoskeletal structures
- Dental interventions like night guards for jaw correction
- Exercises to improve posture and flexibility
You can reverse or significantly reduce tinnitus caused by neck or jaw tension when you address physical misalignments.
At Treble Health, we often work alongside dentists and physical therapists to provide integrated care.
What If You Have More Than One Type of Tinnitus?
Most patients experience overlapping causes of tinnitus. For example, a person with cochlear tinnitus from loud music may also have central tinnitus caused by anxiety.
On top of that, poor posture could cause physical tension, contributing to somatic tinnitus.
Because of this, treating only one source often provides incomplete relief. A personalized treatment plan that addresses every contributing factor is essential for meaningful and long-lasting results.
How Treble Health Treats All Types of Tinnitus
At Treble Health, our audiologists are experts in identifying and treating the full spectrum of tinnitus causes. We begin with a detailed consultation to determine your tinnitus type and severity.
Our Tinnitus Management Includes:
- Full audiological consultation
- A personalized tinnitus treatment plan based on your symptoms and lifestyle
- Tinnitus progress monitoring through the use of research-supported questionnaires
- Referrals to outside healthcare providers when needed
Treatment Recommendations May Include:
- Hearing aids with built-in tinnitus masking
- Sound therapy tailored to your tinnitus frequency
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other stress-management tools
- Physical therapy or dental referrals for TMJ-related symptoms
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all solution. Your path to tinnitus relief starts with understanding what’s driving your specific condition.
Is It Time to Get Help for Tinnitus?
If your tinnitus is affecting your sleep, focus, relationships, or quality of life, it’s time to act. The longer tinnitus goes unmanaged, the harder it can be to treat.
Schedule a free consultation with a Treble Health audiologist. They will help you understand your tinnitus type and how to treat it.
Ready to Take the First Step Toward Lasting Tinnitus Relief?
This may be a significant step forward. It needs patience, dedication, and discipline. Over time, your tinnitus can be managed, and in many cases, significantly improved.
Schedule your consultation today and let our experts create a treatment plan tailored just for you.
Next Step: Book Free Consultation
- 75% of patients reduced their tinnitus within three months after following our recommendations.
- "I feel like Treble Health literally gave me my life back." - Randy S. (verified customer)
- Join thousands of people who have reduced their tinnitus after scheduling a free consultation.
