Can Tinnitus Go Away On Its Own?

by Glenn Schweitzer, Tinnitus Expert
July 18, 2019

Question: Can tinnitus go away on its own?

Answer:

Yes, tinnitus can go away on its own, though it depends on the underlying cause. Tinnitus is a symptom, rather than a condition itself, and many of the underlying causes of tinnitus are not permanent. For example, many people experience temporary tinnitus after exposure to loud sound that dissipates after a day or two at most. This is an extremely common occurrence. (Keep in mind that repeated loud sound exposure can lead to permanent tinnitus as well, so always protect your hearing with earplugs in loud environments.)

It's also possible to habituate naturally over time. This is where the sound bothers you less and less as time goes on, and the brain is able to tune it out more and more of the time, even though it's never actually gone. 

Most tinnitus sufferers habituate eventually, given enough time. And there are also many effective strategies to actively facilitate habituation, such as the meditation strategy we discussed in myinterview with John for eCareDiary.

Glenn Schweitzer is an entrepreneur, blogger, and the author of Rewiring Tinnitus and Mind over Meniere’s.

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