Will my tinnitus ever go away?

Sometimes. If there is a treatable cause such as earwax or an ear infection, clearing it may resolve the noise. For many people there is no single cure, but symptoms can be reduced with hearing aids, sound therapy and CBT, and the brain often learns to tune the sound out over time so it becomes far less noticeable.

Is tinnitus a sign of something serious like a tumour?

For the large majority of people, no - tinnitus is usually linked to hearing loss, noise or earwax and is not dangerous. Serious causes are rare. However, tinnitus in only one ear, pulsatile tinnitus, or tinnitus with sudden hearing loss or dizziness should be assessed by a doctor to rule out rarer causes.

What is pulsatile tinnitus and why does it need checking?

Pulsatile tinnitus is a rhythmic whooshing or thumping that beats in time with your heartbeat. Because it can be related to blood flow in vessels near the ear, it is one of the types doctors take more seriously and may investigate with a hearing test and, if needed, a scan.

Can stress and poor sleep make tinnitus worse?

Yes. Stress, anxiety, fatigue and poor sleep commonly make tinnitus feel louder and more intrusive, even though they are not the root cause. Managing stress, sleeping well, and avoiding complete silence (using soft background sound) often reduce how much the tinnitus bothers you.

Should I see a GP or go straight to an ENT specialist?

For most people, starting with a GP or polyclinic is sensible - they can check for simple causes like earwax and refer you if needed. Go for prompt specialist assessment if your tinnitus is in one ear, pulsatile, or comes with sudden hearing loss or dizziness.

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears) in Singapore: Causes, Management & When to Worry

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 2 Jul 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Quick answer. Tinnitus is hearing a sound – ringing, buzzing, hissing or humming – in your ears or head when there is no external source. It is very common and usually a symptom (often of hearing loss, noise exposure or earwax) rather than a disease in itself, and it is usually not dangerous. There is often no single “cure,” but symptoms can be eased by treating the underlying cause, using hearing aids, sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). See a doctor promptly if the noise is in only ONE ear, is pulsatile (a whooshing in time with your heartbeat), or comes with sudden hearing loss or dizziness.

Almost everyone notices a faint ringing in a quiet room from time to time, but for some people in Singapore the sound is constant enough to affect sleep, focus and mood. The good news is that tinnitus is usually a symptom rather than a serious illness in itself, and most cases are not dangerous. This guide explains what tinnitus is, why it happens, how it can be managed, and the specific warning signs that mean you should be assessed by a doctor without delay.

At a glance

Tinnitus at a glance – causes, management and red flags
Aspect	Detail	Notes
What it is	Perceiving ringing/buzzing/hissing/humming with no external source	Usually a symptom, not a disease; commonly only you can hear it (subjective)
Common causes	Hearing loss, noise exposure, ageing, earwax, infections, some medications, stress	Often linked to some degree of hearing loss
Is it dangerous?	Usually not dangerous	Most people adapt over time and notice it less
Management	Treat the cause, hearing aids, sound therapy/masking, CBT/tinnitus retraining, sleep & stress care	Often no single cure, but symptoms can be reduced
Red flags	One ear only, pulsatile (in time with heartbeat), sudden hearing loss, dizziness/vertigo	Get assessed promptly; sudden hearing loss is urgent
Who to see	GP/polyclinic first, then ENT specialist and audiologist	A hearing test (audiogram) is commonly done

What tinnitus actually is

Tinnitus is the perception of sound – commonly ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming or whooshing – in the ears or head when there is no matching sound in your environment. It varies a lot from person to person in pitch, volume and whether it is constant or comes and goes.

In the vast majority of cases tinnitus is subjective, meaning only you can hear it. Much less commonly it is objective, where a doctor can also detect a sound (often linked to blood flow). Tinnitus is very common, and importantly it is usually a symptom of something else rather than a disease on its own. Many people are not greatly bothered by it, while others find it intrusive.

Common causes

Tinnitus is most often associated with the hearing system, and frequently sits alongside some degree of hearing loss. Common causes and triggers include:

Age-related hearing loss (presbyacusis) – one of the most common causes.
Noise exposure – loud workplaces, machinery, concerts or prolonged earphone use at high volume.
Earwax or a foreign object resting against the eardrum, and ear infections.
Certain medications that can affect the ear (for example some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and high-dose aspirin).
Stress, fatigue and poor sleep, which often make existing tinnitus feel louder.
Less common ear and circulatory conditions, such as Meniere’s disease or blood-vessel abnormalities near the ear.

Managing tinnitus

There is often no single “cure,” but symptoms can usually be reduced and many people adapt over time so they notice the sound less. A practical approach combines several strategies:

Treat any underlying cause – for example removing impacted earwax or treating an ear infection.
Address hearing loss – hearing aids amplify external sound and often help tinnitus by making it less noticeable; some devices also include built-in sound generators.
Sound therapy / masking – low-level background sound such as soft music, a fan or nature sounds can cover the tinnitus, which is especially helpful at bedtime. Avoiding total silence often helps.
CBT and tinnitus retraining therapy – structured counselling that reduces the distress and attention the tinnitus draws, helping the brain tune it out.
Sleep and stress management – because tiredness and stress amplify the perception of tinnitus.

An audiologist or ENT team can tailor these to your situation; regular follow-up is often useful, particularly in the first few months.

When to worry – see a doctor promptly

Most tinnitus is not dangerous, but certain features need assessment to exclude rarer causes. See a doctor promptly if you have:

Tinnitus in ONE ear only – one-sided symptoms warrant evaluation.
Pulsatile tinnitus – a rhythmic whooshing or thumping in time with your heartbeat, which may need imaging to check blood vessels near the ear.
Sudden hearing loss – this is urgent; seek care quickly, as prompt treatment can matter.
Dizziness or vertigo, or any neurological symptoms.

These do not mean something is necessarily seriously wrong, but they are the situations where a proper assessment is most important.

Who to see and prevention

A sensible first stop is your GP or a polyclinic, who can check for simple causes such as earwax or infection and refer you onward if needed. For persistent, one-sided, pulsatile or distressing tinnitus, you may be referred to an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist and an audiologist, who will usually arrange a hearing test (audiogram) and, where indicated, further investigation.

Prevention largely means protecting your hearing: keep personal-device volume moderate, take listening breaks, and wear ear protection in loud workplaces or at concerts. Because noise-induced hearing damage is often permanent, prevention is the most effective long-term step.

Related guides

Best ENT Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
ENT clinics directory
Hearing loss
Allergic rhinitis (nose allergy)
Sore throat & tonsillitis

Sources

Last updated 21 June 2026. Prices are typical market ranges gathered from the cited sources and vary by clinic, doctor and individual case — they are not quotes. This guide is general information, not medical advice; always consult a qualified, MOH-accredited doctor before any treatment.

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