Ringing and buzzing in the ears: understanding and coping with tinnitus in daily life

Onde sonore qui s'apaise — comprendre les bourdonnements et sifflements d'oreille (acouphènes)

A whistling sound heard in the evening, at bedtime. A buzzing that invades quiet moments. A background hissing during a meeting or conversation. When these sensations set in, they can affect concentration, sleep, and mood — and one doesn't always know who to turn to. If you are concerned, first know that you are not alone: these "phantom" noises, called tinnitus, affect millions of people in France. In this article, we review, with supporting sources, what ear buzzing and whistling are, situations that should lead to a consultation, their possible causes, and habits that help to cope with them better in daily life. A reminder before starting: this content is informative and does not replace medical advice.

Buzzing, whistling: what are we talking about?

According to the French National Health Insurance (ameli.fr), tinnitus consists of noises — whistling, buzzing, hissing... — that are heard in one ear, both ears, or "in the head," without being emitted by an external source.

In the vast majority of cases, they are said to be "subjective": only the affected person perceives them. The Fondation Pour l'Audition specifies that in nearly 90% of cases, tinnitus does not correspond to an external sound source. Rare "objective" tinnitus — for example, pulsatile, of vascular origin — can sometimes be measured by a doctor.

The phenomenon is common. According to Inserm, approximately 10% of the adult population suffers from tinnitus, and severely debilitating forms represent less than 1% of cases. Globally, the Fondation Pour l'Audition estimates that nearly one in seven adults is affected, or about 740 million people. Self-reported surveys conducted for National Hearing Day give broader figures — 15 to 18 million French people report experiencing tinnitus according to the Ifop-JNA 2024 barometer — because they also include temporary episodes.

To remember: tinnitus is not a disease in itself, but a symptom. This is precisely why the first step is always medical.

When to consult?

When faced with persistent ear buzzing or whistling, the first reflex is not a forum or a product: it is your general practitioner, who will refer you to an ENT specialist if necessary. However, certain situations require quick action.

Consult a doctor the same day if tinnitus appears suddenly and is accompanied by:

  • sudden hearing loss — sudden deafness, often in only one ear, is an ENT emergency whose treatment must begin without delay (ameli.fr);
  • fever and chills;
  • nausea, vomiting, or disturbances of consciousness.

Make an appointment quickly if tinnitus:

  • persists beyond a few days or worsens;
  • is perceived on only one side (unilateral tinnitus);
  • beats with the rhythm of the heart (pulsatile tinnitus): it may result from a venous or arterial disorder and warrants medical evaluation;
  • is accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness;
  • interferes with your daily life: difficulty concentrating or sleeping;
  • appeared after a head injury.

Consultation is all the more useful as some causes are completely reversible: a simple earwax plug obstructing the ear canal, an ear infection, or nasal congestion can cause or accompany tinnitus. Identifying and treating them can make the noise disappear. The assessment includes audiometry (hearing measurement), essential for detecting hearing loss; an MRI may be requested, especially in cases of unilateral tinnitus (ameli.fr).

Where do they come from?

According to Inserm, tinnitus is associated with hearing loss in approximately 80% of cases: when faced with hearing impairment, the auditory cortex establishes compensatory mechanisms that can become aberrant, and abnormal activities along the auditory pathway are then interpreted as sounds, without external stimulation. Concretely, several causes are most common.

Noise exposure. Inserm estimates that about a quarter of cases are linked to chronic noise trauma: concerts, machinery, noisy work environments, prolonged headphone use at high volume. This is the cause over which you have the most control, as it is preventable. Wearing hearing protection in noisy environments is one of the actions recommended by health organizations. Our Silence reusable earplugs are designed for this purpose. To choose the right protection for your situation, consult our guide on noise reduction at concerts, in the office, or on a plane.

Natural aging of the ear (presbycusis). This is the primary cause cited by the Fondation Pour l'Audition. The risk of tinnitus increases with age and would be highest around 65 years according to Inserm.

Mechanical or infectious causes. Earwax plug, ear infection, nasal congestion: common and often reversible causes, hence the importance of the ENT assessment mentioned above.

An unknown cause in nearly 40% of cases. According to ameli.fr and Inserm, the appearance then seems spontaneous, with no identified factor.

Stress and fatigue: amplifiers, not causes. Tinnitus is often perceived as more intense when tired or stressed, in the evening or in silence (ameli.fr). Inserm explains this phenomenon by the dialogue between the auditory cortex and the amygdala, the brain area that manages emotions: if the sound is classified as unpleasant, the amygdala amplifies its perception and triggers a stress reaction — a loop that maintains the discomfort. Stress therefore does not "create" tinnitus, but it can significantly increase its impact.

Daily actions

There is no magic recipe, but simple habits, complementary to medical follow-up, help to reduce daily discomfort.

Protect your ears from noise

The Fondation Pour l'Audition reminds us that beyond 8 hours of exposure to 80 decibels, hearing is at risk. The WHO estimates that more than a billion young adults risk avoidable hearing impairment due to unsafe listening practices. Good habits include: lowering the volume, limiting listening duration, staying away from speakers, and wearing hearing protection at concerts, festivals, or in noisy environments.

Take care of your sleep

Fatigue makes tinnitus more present, and tinnitus can in turn disrupt falling asleep. A regular sleep schedule and a restful environment help break this cycle. If ambient noises bother you at night, our article sleeping with earplugs reviews solutions adapted for sleep.

Manage stress and fatigue

Since stress amplifies the perception of tinnitus, anything that helps regulate it is welcome: physical activity, real breaks during the day, relaxation techniques. The Fondation Pour l'Audition cites sophrology, meditation, or hypnosis as complementary support approaches to medical follow-up. Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT), offered by health professionals, have shown their effectiveness in helping to live better with tinnitus (Inserm).

Avoid total silence

In absolute silence, attention focuses on tinnitus, which seems louder. A soft background noise — calm music, gentle white noise — can facilitate falling asleep and promote habituation. This is the principle of sound therapies and "tinnitus maskers" that an ENT specialist can offer; in case of associated hearing loss, hearing aids can also reduce the perception of tinnitus (Inserm, Fondation Pour l'Audition).

AcouCalm: daily nutritional support

Sensations of buzzing or whistling in the ear invading your daily life? It is to support these good habits that Ears 360 has developed AcouCalm – Audition & Nervous Balance, a premium food supplement whose Ginkgo biloba formula is adapted for people bothered by these sensations. AcouCalm is made in France and comes in the form of 60 vegetable capsules, representing a 30-day course.

Let's be clear: AcouCalm is a food supplement, not a medicine. It does not treat or eliminate tinnitus, and it does not in any way replace the medical consultation described above. Its role is to provide daily nutritional support, thanks to ingredients, some of which are subject to claims regulated by European law:

  • Ginkgo biloba (120 mg, including 28.8 mg of flavonol glycosides): promotes peripheral circulation, particularly useful for the ears. Contributes to good hearing.
  • Magnesium (75 mg, as bisglycinate): helps reduce fatigue and contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system.
  • Vitamins B6 and B12 (100% of reference nutritional values): contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system and normal psychological functions.
  • Zinc (10 mg, as bisglycinate): contributes to normal cognitive function and to protecting cells against oxidative stress.
  • Rhodiola rosea (37.5 mg): has a beneficial effect in case of fatigue and helps improve mood.
  • Grape seed OPCs (105 mg, including 100 mg of OPCs) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (200 mg) complete the formula.

Directions for use: 2 capsules per day, in the morning, with a large glass of water. One pill box corresponds to one month.

Precautions: for adults only. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, in cases of epilepsy, scheduled invasive interventional procedures, or antidepressant treatment. Ask your doctor for advice if you are taking anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, or any other treatment. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle.

AcouCalm is available for €39.90 for a single purchase, or €34.90 per month on a no-commitment subscription with free delivery. It is currently available for pre-order, with shipping starting from August 2026. And remember: if your tinnitus is recent, worsening, or concerns you, medical advice takes precedence over any other approach.

Frequently asked questions about tinnitus

Can tinnitus be cured?

There is currently no universal drug treatment that can eliminate tinnitus (Inserm). However, management solutions do exist. If the assessment identifies a specific cause — earwax plug, ear infection, other disorder — treating it can suppress or reduce tinnitus. Otherwise, management aims to reduce discomfort: sound therapy and habituation, cognitive-behavioral therapies, hearing aids in case of associated hearing loss. Talk to your doctor or an ENT specialist; the patient association France Acouphènes also offers information and mutual support.

Can a food supplement make tinnitus disappear?

No. A food supplement does not treat any disease and no supplement can make tinnitus disappear. It can only provide nutritional support, linked to claims concerning its ingredients and regulated by European law: Ginkgo biloba, for example, "promotes peripheral circulation, particularly useful for the ears" and "contributes to good hearing"; magnesium "helps reduce fatigue and contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system." These claims concern the ingredients, not the disappearance of tinnitus. If you are bothered by ear buzzing or whistling, first consult a healthcare professional.

When to worry?

Consult the same day if tinnitus appears suddenly with sudden hearing loss, fever and chills, nausea, vomiting, or disturbances of consciousness. Make an appointment quickly if tinnitus is perceived only on one side, beats with the rhythm of the heart (pulsatile), is accompanied by dizziness or hearing loss, or appeared after a head injury. And if the noise persists beyond a few days, worsens, or disturbs your sleep and concentration, make an appointment with your doctor (ameli.fr).

Does stress worsen tinnitus?

Stress does not create tinnitus, but it can amplify its perception and discomfort. Inserm describes a loop between the auditory cortex and the amygdala, the emotional area: a sound judged unpleasant is amplified, which generates stress, which in turn reinforces the focus on the noise. Fatigue produces a similar effect. Restorative sleep and better stress management often contribute to reducing daily discomfort.

How to prevent tinnitus?

Prevention primarily involves protection against noise: lowering listening volume, limiting exposure duration, moving away from sound sources, and wearing hearing protection at concerts or in noisy environments. The WHO estimates that more than a billion young adults risk avoidable hearing impairment due to unsafe listening practices (high volume, prolonged duration). Also remember to have your hearing checked regularly and to treat ENT problems such as earwax plugs.

Key takeaways

When faced with buzzing or whistling in the ear, three reflexes are paramount: first, consult your general practitioner, then an ENT specialist, without delay in case of warning signs; protect your ears from noise day after day; and take care of your sleep and nervous balance. These actions, repeated over time, make a difference in the discomfort felt. And if you want nutritional support to accompany this daily life, you can discover AcouCalm, the food supplement developed by Ears 360 — always keeping in mind that your doctor's advice comes first.

Sources

Back to blog