However, many people with tinnitus have never experienced any of the above. Tinnitus is rarely linked to any serious problem and people usually learn to manage it quite successfully.

Some of the known causes of tinnitus include:

Ear infections

If you have an ear infection it can cause discomfort and tinnitus and may lead to hearing loss, especially if it is left untreated. It is important to visit your GP, who will be able to treat the infection. For further information see our factsheet Middle ear conditions.

Noise exposure

There is a lot of evidence to connect continued exposure to noise with hearing loss and tinnitus. Loud sounds can damage your hearing, especially if you listen to them for hours at a time. 

In 2002, research conducted on behalf of RNID revealed that almost three-quarters of 18-30 year-olds who regularly go clubbing have experienced temporary tinnitus. In time, as a result of prolonged exposure to loud noise, this temporary tinnitus may become permanent.  Make sure your workplace follows the Noise at Work regulations to limit the amount of noise you are exposed to at work. For further information see our factsheet Noise exposure and our website Don't lose the music (external link, opens new browser window).

Stress

Most people have some stress in their lives, it is almost unavoidable. While stress does not directly cause tinnitus, it can make it worse. Many things can cause stress and significant periods of stress or stressful events, such as the death of a close relative, have been known to trigger tinnitus.

Tinnitus in itself can make people feel stressed.  This is why stress management is an important part of tinnitus management. By learning to relax and take control you can help your body and brain manage your tinnitus.  For further information see our factsheet Tinnitus, sleep and complementary therapies.

Drugs

Your GP will be able to talk to you about any possible side effects of drugs that you have been prescribed. Drugs that may be damaging to the ear or hearing are known as ototoxic. There are very few ototoxic drugs and they are rarely prescribed. In many cases these drugs are prescribed to save your life and this is likely to outweigh the risk of any side effects. You should also be strictly monitored when you are prescribed ototoxic drugs.

Some people with tinnitus think it was caused by, or has been made worse by, a medicine that they have been prescribed. Although a large number of drugs list tinnitus as a possible side effect not everyone will develop tinnitus as a result of taking that particular drug. This is partly due to the way that the side effects of drugs are reported but also because we all react differently to drugs. Even though a drug may make someone else’s tinnitus worse it may not have the same effect on your tinnitus.

It is also worth remembering that your tinnitus may not have been caused, or made worse by, the drug you are taking. It could just be a coincidence that this appears to have happened at the same time that you started taking the drug. The condition that you have been prescribed medicine for may also be making your tinnitus worse, rather than the drug you are taking for it, particularly if your condition is making you anxious or stressed.

If you are concerned that a drug you have been prescribed is making your tinnitus worse, you should discuss this with your GP. You should not alter the dose of any medication you are taking, or stop taking it, unless the GP who prescribed the medication agrees it is safe to do so. If you have any questions about any medication you are taking, or are about to take, speak to your GP or pharmacist.

For further information, see our factsheets Drugs, stress and tinnitus and Drugs and hearing loss.