Tinnitus is when you hear a sound, like ringing, buzzing, or clicking, that doesn’t actually exist in your environment. Meanwhile, hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a very common condition. The CDC says that about 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure.
So, what’s the connection between hypertension and tinnitus, and is there a link between hypertension ringing in ears? This article will explore the possible causes of tinnitus related to high blood pressure and what you can do to manage it.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus isn’t a disease; it’s a symptom. It’s also a subjective experience, which means only the person experiencing it can hear it. It’s a phantom sound, a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking that doesn’t come from an external source.
There are two main types of tinnitus:
- Subjective tinnitus: This is the most common kind. It’s caused by problems in your inner ear, the auditory nerve, or the parts of your brain that process sound.
- Objective tinnitus: This type is rare. It stems from a physical source, like a problem with a blood vessel or muscle contractions.
Tinnitus is surprisingly common. It affects around 50 million adults in the United States.
How are blood pressure and tinnitus connected?
High blood pressure and tinnitus often go hand in hand. Here’s how:
Direct effects of high blood pressure
If you have hypertension, that means the blood is pushing harder against the walls of your arteries than it should. This increased blood flow pressure can sometimes be heard as a ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in the ears.
High blood pressure can also make your blood thicker. This thicker blood has a harder time flowing through the tiny, delicate blood vessels of the inner ear, which can also lead to tinnitus.
Hypertension as a risk factor
High blood pressure is a known risk factor for tinnitus. In fact, one study reported that more than 44% of people with tinnitus also have high blood pressure.
It’s worth noting that up to 90% of people who have tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss.
Potential causes of tinnitus related to hypertension
The relationship between hypertension and tinnitus is still being studied, but there are some potential links that researchers have identified.
Medications
Some medications used to treat high blood pressure, like loop diuretics, are ototoxic, meaning they can damage the ear and cause tinnitus as a side effect. In addition, tinnitus can be a side effect of taking high doses of aspirin.
Stress and anxiety
It’s also worth noting that stress and anxiety are closely linked to both high blood pressure and tinnitus.
Stress may even make tinnitus symptoms worse, so it’s important to take steps to manage your stress.
Circulatory system dysfunction
Problems with your circulatory system can affect the flow of blood to your inner ear, potentially leading to both tinnitus and hearing loss. High blood pressure can even increase blood viscosity, making it harder for blood to get to the inner ear.
If you have hypertension and are experiencing tinnitus, talk with your healthcare provider about the possible connection and steps you can take to manage both conditions.
How to treat tinnitus caused by hypertension
If you and your doctor determine that your tinnitus is related to high blood pressure, the first step is to get the hypertension under control.
Managing Blood Pressure
Lifestyle Changes
Often, managing high blood pressure is a matter of making smart adjustments to your daily routine. Exercise, a healthy diet that’s high in fruits and vegetables and low in sodium, and plenty of water may go a long way toward lowering your blood pressure.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe blood pressure medication to help you lower your BP. If so, it’s important to take the medication exactly as prescribed.
Tinnitus-Specific Treatments
Even after your blood pressure is under control, you may still notice some ringing in your ears. Here are a few treatments that may help:
- Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). TRT can help you get used to the sound of tinnitus so it doesn’t bother you so much.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT can help you deal with the emotional distress that tinnitus can cause.
- Hearing Aids. Hearing aids can amplify sounds around you, making tinnitus less noticeable. Some hearing aids also offer features to mask the sound of tinnitus.
When to seek emergency help
If you notice that your tinnitus is pulsatile, meaning it seems to sync with your heartbeat, see a doctor right away. Pulsatile tinnitus can be a sign of a blood vessel problem.
You should also seek immediate medical care if your tinnitus occurs with any of the following symptoms:
- Severe headache
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid or fluttering heartbeat
Closing Thoughts
High blood pressure and tinnitus can be linked in a number of ways, including circulatory problems, medication side effects, and the stress that can worsen both conditions.
Effectively managing your blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medication may help to alleviate your tinnitus symptoms.
If you’re concerned about hypertension and/or ringing in your ears, it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider. They can diagnose the underlying causes of both conditions and help you find the most effective treatment plan.