Tinnitus Treatment in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, MN

They Said I Have Tinnitus But My Ears Aren’t Ringing

Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in your ears. But tinnitus is the perception of a noise, usually when no one else can hear it. For many, it manifests as a ringing sound. But for others it sounds more like a pulsing sound, or perhaps a whooshing, clicking or crackling sound. If you have any of these and they persist for more than a few days, you may have tinnitus. 

Is Ringing in My Ears Serious?

While most cases of tinnitus are harmless, sudden or severe ringing in the ears can sometimes indicate changes in blood pressure, ear injury, or another health condition. Usually, tinnitus clears up within a few hours, but if it persists or worsens, a professional assessment is essential.

Our audiologists in Minneapolis and St. Cloud specialize in diagnosing whether your tinnitus is related to hearing loss, medication use, or another medical factor. Getting to the root cause is the first step toward effective tinnitus treatment.

What Causes Tinnitus?

A number of health conditions can cause or worsen tinnitus, and in some cases, the exact cause is never found. Common causes include:

  • Hearing loss: Damage to the delicate hair cells in your inner ear can send random electrical impulses to your brain, creating the perception of sound. This is one of the most common causes of tinnitus.
  • Earwax blockage or infection: Buildup of earwax or infection can alter ear pressure and lead to temporary tinnitus.
  • Head or neck injuries: Trauma can affect hearing nerves or brain function, sometimes resulting in tinnitus in one ear.
  • Medications: Certain antibiotics, NSAIDs, diuretics, and antidepressants are known to cause or worsen tinnitus symptoms.
  • Meniere’s disease: This inner ear disorder often presents with vertigo and tinnitus as early symptoms.
  • TMJ disorders: Jaw joint dysfunction can contribute to ear fullness, popping, or tinnitus.
  • Circulatory issues: High blood pressure and vascular conditions can cause rhythmic or “pulsatile” tinnitus.

If you suspect any of these causes, our team at Amdahl Hearing can perform a comprehensive hearing and ear health evaluation to pinpoint the issue.

Vitamins Won’t Cure Tinnitus

Some research indicates a connection between vitamin deficiencies, such as a B12 or zinc deficiency. That said, there has been no research substantiating the claims that vitamins will cure tinnitus. In fact, there is no known cure for tinnitus. Most ways to manage tinnitus help you either mask the tinnitus or make it less noticeable.

Effective Ways to Manage Tinnitus

Although there’s currently no cure for tinnitus, many treatments can make it less noticeable and improve quality of life. Our tinnitus treatment strategies at Amdahl Hearing are designed to help you regain control and reduce daily disruption.

Common and Effective Tinnitus Management Options

Hearing Aids
Many individuals with tinnitus also experience some level of hearing loss. Modern hearing aids can amplify external sounds, helping mask or reduce the perception of tinnitus. Some hearing aids include dedicated tinnitus-masking programs for even greater relief.

Sound Therapy / Maskers
Devices that emit gentle background sounds, such as white noise, nature sounds, or soft music, can help mask the perception of tinnitus and retrain your brain to focus away from it.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of talk therapy that helps you change your emotional response to tinnitus, lowering stress and anxiety levels associated with the condition.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
A specialized form of therapy that combines sound therapy and counseling, TRT aims to help your brain reclassify tinnitus as a neutral sound so it no longer causes distress.

Lifestyle Adjustments
Managing stress, getting enough sleep, and reducing caffeine or nicotine intake can also make tinnitus less intense.

Woman with ringing in her ears