Ringing in the Ears: Is there a Cure for Tinnitus?

Author: John Irvine
Published: February 07, 2020
Last reviewed by: Beth Newbould
Last reviewed: January 23, 2026

Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears, but this phantom sound can also manifest as buzzing, clicking or humming that sounds as if it’s from an internal source, rather than an external sound source.

It can be high-pitched and persistent, or mild and intermittent, and can develop gradually or suddenly. With no discernible pattern, those who experience tinnitus can perceive it in one or both ears at varying pitches, making it extremely frustrating to live with.

It affects around 13% of the UK population and can impact both concentration levels and sleep patterns.

Can Tinnitus Be Cured?

Despite being a relatively common affliction, science has yet to discover how to stop tinnitus, which means it cannot be cured.

Some of the possible causes include age-related hearing loss, an ear injury or earwax build-up. In some cases, exposure to persistent loud noises can also cause ringing in the ears, either temporarily or long-term.

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The good news is that there are several ways to manage tinnitus, reduce its intensity and live more comfortably. It is important to explore various approaches to find a combination that works for your specific situation. In a hearing test, an audiologist will ask various questions to better understand your circumstances, such as whether you hear sounds in one or both ears, how frequently and at what pitches.

Discover how to stop tinnitus from impacting your quality of life:

1. Hearing aids

Hearing aids are one way to manage tinnitus. Many modern hearing aids, like the Oticon Intent, include a function that can help your brain tune out of tinnitus sounds.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on mental disciplines to help reduce negative feelings and anxiety and can ultimately help make tinnitus less noticeable.

3. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

TRT uses sound generators to help habituate the brain to different sounds and how they are perceived. The goal is to reduce the sounds of tinnitus by prioritising the way we process them.

4. Sound Enrichment Therapy

Sound Enrichment Therapy uses repetitive natural sounds, like the sound of crashing waves or soft rain, to mask tinnitus sounds.

Book an appointment

Discover tinnitus treatment and relief options that work for you. Book a hearing test online or call us on 0800 40 20 20 to book your free tinnitus consultation or hearing appointment, today.

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How do hearing amplifiers work?
Hearing amplification devices increase the volume and might make it easier for you to hear sounds louder. Yet they not a prescribed product and do not match your individual needs. Hearing loss is extremely common – millions of people in the UK live with a hearing loss, so you’re not alone. At Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care, our expert audiologists will help you identify the best device for you, in most cases this is a Hearing Aid. What is a hearing amplifier? Much like a tiny PA system, hearing amplification devices use microphones to capture and amplify all sounds around you, before delivering it to your ear at an adequate and audible volume level. What kind of devices are available? There are plenty of hearing amplifiers designed to help you while on the telephone, watching TV, and for in-person conversations. However, these devices amplify all sounds equally and aren’t designed to support hearing loss. For an all‑round solution that adapts to your personal hearing needs, a hearing aid is often the most effective option. Our expert audiologists can assess your hearing and guide you towards the most suitable hearing aid for your lifestyle and needs. What’s the difference between a hearing aid and a hearing amplifier? All hearing aids use amplification, however, hearing aids are regulated medical devices carefully programmed and tailored to fit the hearing loss of a particular individual. This makes them more suitable for moderate to severe hearing loss. Hearing amplifiers are not medical devices and are not designed to diagnose, treat or manage hearing loss. They don’t adapt to your individual needs, meaning they offer volume without improving clarity or understanding. What are induction loops? An induction loop is an older technology system designed to help hearing aid users to hear more clearly in some specific environments. You’ll often find them in places like meeting rooms, theatres, banks, and cinemas.  Here’s how it works:  A thin cable is installed around a room or designated listening area  The system creates a magnetic field that carries speech or important sound  When you switch your hearing aid or ALDs to the T (telecoil) setting, you can hear the sound closer to you and more clear with less background noise  Induction loops can make a huge difference to day‑to‑day listening comfort. Our audiologists can help you understand how loops - and other assistive listening devices - can work with Hearing Aids.  What is Auracast? Auracast is a new Bluetooth audio technology designed to make listening more inclusive. It allows one device to broadcast high-quality sound to multiple compatible hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones at the same time, without the need for pairing. Developed with the hearing aid industry for assistive listening, Auracast could mean easier access to shared audio in public spaces such as train stations and lecture theatres. For people with hearing loss, it’s a positive step towards clearer sound and greater confidence in everyday situations. Leightons free hearing test Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care offers a free hearing test in all branches. We provide a comprehensive hearing check carried out by our experts – professionally trained hearing aid audiologists registered with the HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council), with some even members of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists. Book your free hearing test now You can book an appointment online or you can call us on 0800 40 20 20 to arrange a free hearing test at your nearest Leightons branch. Alternatively, you can take the test at home. This involves the same experienced, professional audiologist you would see in branch coming to your home to carry out your hearing test with specialist portable equipment.
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