Skip to main content
ASK AN EXPERT
Got a question about a health story in the news or a health topic? Here's your chance to get an answer. Send us your questions about general health topics, diet and fitness and mental health. If your question is chosen, it could be featured on CNN.com's health page with an answer from one of our health experts, or by a participant in the CNNhealth community.




* CNN encourages you to contribute a question. By submitting a question, you agree to the following terms found below.
You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. By submitting your question, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your questions(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statment.
Thank you for your question!

It will be reviewed and considered for posting on CNNHealth.com. Questions and comments are moderated by CNN and will not appear until after they have been reviewed and approved. Unfortunately, because of the voume of questions we receive, not all can be posted.

Submit another question or Go back to CNNHealth.com

Read answers from our experts: Living Well | Diet & Fitness | Mental Health | Conditions

Expert Q&A

Why do I hear whistling in both of my ears?

Askedy by Chris, Tewksbury, New Jersey

Open quote
Close quote

I am a 62-year-old male. For over a year now I have been having a whistling in both of my ears. It goes on 24/7 and I am at the end of my rope. Please help me.

Expert Bio Picture

Living Well Expert Dr. Jennifer Shu Pediatrician,
Children's Medical Group

Expert answer:

Thanks for your question. Having a ringing sound in the ears (known as tinnitus) is very common and affects about 10 to 15 percent of the population. It is usually short-lived and can get better or eventually go away on its own. This ringing may occur after hearing loud noises, such as going to a concert.

However, a noise in the ears that lasts for longer periods can have many different causes and may be extremely annoying as well as difficult to treat. To better help you with this aggravating situation, I consulted Dr. Aaron Rogers, an otolaryngologist (ear/nose/throat specialist) in Atlanta, who shared the following information about long-term tinnitus and possible treatments.

Rogers reports that the most common type of tinnitus consists of a high-pitched steady buzzing or ringing in the ears. Usually it is always there but gets louder in quiet situations or with anxiety and tends to be present on both sides. This type is thought to be "idiopathic" (meaning there is no known cause) and is often found accompanying a hearing loss, especially of high-frequency sounds.

The best we can tell, this kind of tinnitus actually originates in the brain, not the ears, so that a person perceives a ringing noise that other people cannot hear. One way to think of it is that the brain is trying to fill in what the ears are no longer hearing.

Other types of tinnitus may involve a pulsing, clicking, or low-pitched roaring in the ears. These types are relatively rare but are sometimes associated with middle ear muscle spasms, high pressure of the fluid in the brain, or even blood vessel malformations.

Causes of tinnitus may also include problems with the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) area and muscles in the head and face. Medications such as high-dose aspirin therapy can create tinnitus which may be reversible once the medicine is stopped. Insomnia can make tinnitus worse in some people, and severe tinnitus may also be associated with depression and stress.

Having an evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist can be helpful to test for hearing loss and inspecting the ear anatomy for any suspicious things like a hair or other foreign body in the ear canal or a hole in the ear drum. The specialist can also check for some of the more rare causes of tinnitus and may recommend an imaging study of the head.

The treatment for tinnitus depends on the underlying cause. A hearing aid can be helpful if hearing loss is involved. Dealing with depression and insomnia are also advised. One treatment for common idiopathic tinnitus is called "masking," which gives a distractor noise (such as a white noise machine, ceiling fan, radio in the corner of a room, etc.) to the ears.

For people who do not respond to regular masking, an intensive treatment called tinnitus retraining therapy may be recommended. This therapy involves custom noise-generating devices (which simulate the tinnitus or produce white noise) that are "always on" in an attempt to retrain the brain to block out a particular sound. Biofeedback, acupuncture, and cognitive-behavioral therapy may also be helpful.

I hope you will consult with your physician for the best treatment for your condition. Good luck!

More Q&A

  • CNN's Medical UnitCNN's medical unit brings you the best experts available to answer your questions about current events and health issues that matter most to you.
What are the potential problems with ovarian cysts?asked by: Asked by Jane Coles; Virginia
Why do I no longer need an antibiotic before teeth cleaning?asked by: Asked by Janet; Leeds
How frequently should a man urinate daily?asked by: Asked by Brian; Canada

CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.

The information contained on this page does not and is not intended to convey medical advice. CNN is not responsible for any actions or inaction on your part based on the information that is presented here. Please consult a physician or medical professional for personal medical advice or treatment.