Tinnitus—often described as a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears—is a condition that affects an estimated 15% to 20% of adults. For some, it’s a mild annoyance. For others, it can seriously impact quality of life, contributing to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and depression. What’s more, many people who experience loud noise exposures or noise-induced hearing loss also suffer from tinnitus. 

Despite how common tinnitus is, there’s no one-size-fits-all cure. But there are treatments and therapies that can help manage the symptoms. Here’s what’s currently available—and where care still falls short.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus isn’t a condition itself but a symptom of an underlying issue. It is often related to hearing loss, noise exposure, ear injuries, or even certain medications. In many cases, the exact cause remains unclear. It can be intermittent in nature—only affecting people some of the time—or a constant disturbance. 

Current Treatments for Tinnitus

While there’s no cure for tinnitus, several therapies can reduce the distress tinnitus causes:

Sound Therapy

Sound therapy uses external noise (like white noise machines, environmental sounds, or music) to reduce the perception of tinnitus. This approach can help "mask" the internal sounds and make them less noticeable, especially in quiet environments.

Hearing Aids

For people with hearing loss, hearing aids can amplify external sounds, which may help cover up tinnitus and improve communication. Many modern hearing aids also include built-in sound therapy features.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective approach that helps people change the way they react to tinnitus. It doesn’t eliminate the sound but can reduce anxiety, stress, and negative emotions associated with it. CBT is often delivered by psychologists or audiologists trained in tinnitus management.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) combines sound therapy with counseling. It’s designed to help the brain "tune out" tinnitus over time. While it can be helpful, it requires long-term commitment and trained providers.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Practices like meditation, yoga, and guided relaxation can help reduce the stress and emotional distress often linked with tinnitus.

What Gaps Still Exist?

Despite these treatment options, many people with tinnitus struggle to find effective care. What’s more, most of the current therapies offered focus on masking the ringing rather than addressing underlying causes. Some of the biggest gaps in care include:

• Lack of Awareness: Many people don’t realize that help is available and may not seek treatment, assuming nothing can be done.
  

• Limited Access to Specialists: Not all audiologists or mental health professionals are trained in tinnitus-specific therapies like CBT or TRT.
  

• No FDA-Approved Drug: There is currently no medication specifically approved to treat tinnitus, though researchers are exploring new drug therapies.
  

• Variable Results: What works for one person may not work for another. Tinnitus is highly individual, and trial-and-error is often part of the treatment journey.
  

• Insurance Coverage: Some effective therapies, such as CBT or sound therapy, may not be covered by insurance plans.

Looking Ahead

Research into tinnitus is ongoing, with promising studies exploring brain stimulation, pharmacological treatments, and more personalized therapy approaches. RestorEar is at the forefront of this research, with ongoing and upcoming studies planned to continue through next year. Stay tuned on our Clinical Page and sign up for our newsletter for some exciting upcoming research announcements!

In the meantime, raising awareness about existing management tools and encouraging early intervention can help many people live better with tinnitus. If you’re experiencing tinnitus, don’t ignore it. Talk to a hearing care professional or audiologist for help managing your symptoms.