Why do I have tinnitus at night?
Mia Phillips
Updated on May 14, 2026
It's more likely to happen in older people, because blood flow tends to be more turbulent in arteries whose walls have stiffened with age. Pulsatile tinnitus may be more noticeable at night, when you're lying in bed and there are fewer external sounds to mask the tinnitus.
Why do I get tinnitus at night?
At bedtime, the world goes silent and that lack of noise creates confusion in the brain in response to it. The brain only knows one thing to do when that happens – create noise even if it's not real. In other words, tinnitus gets worse at night because it's too quiet.Why does tinnitus get worse at night?
Why does tinnitus seem worse at night? During the evening or night hours, ambient sounds and noises are less or are considerably reduced, making the tinnitus seem more intense than during the day.How do I deal with tinnitus at night?
Things you can try to help cope with tinnitus
- try to relax – deep breathing or yoga may help.
- try to find ways to improve your sleep, such as sticking to a bedtime routine or cutting down on caffeine.
- try to avoid things that can make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noises.
What makes tinnitus flare up?
These include: Health conditions you may have, such as diabetes, ear infections that come back, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Medications you've taken, including aspirin, chemotherapy, and some antibiotics. Your exposure to loud sounds like music, lawn mowers, fireworks, gunfire, loud engines, and planes.Easy Tinnitus Treatment - Ask Doctor Jo
What helps tinnitus go away?
Sound-based therapies for tinnitus
- Hearing aids. Most people develop tinnitus as a symptom of hearing loss. ...
- Sound-masking devices. Sound-masking devices provide a pleasant external noise that can help drown out the internal sound of tinnitus. ...
- Modified or customized sound machines.
What foods to avoid if you have tinnitus?
Foods that Trigger Tinnitus Spikes
- Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages cause dehydration and increase blood pressure, both of which can increase tinnitus symptoms. ...
- Caffeine. ...
- Salt. ...
- Sugar. ...
- Saturated Fats.