Is your tinnitus worse at night, just when you’re trying to wind down? You’re not alone. For many people, ringing, buzzing or hissing in the ears becomes more noticeable at bedtime. The reason tinnitus gets worse at night is often linked to the quiet environment, stress, and how your brain processes sound in the absence of background noise.
In this blog, we’ll explore why it happens, what you can do to find relief, and how Hearing Matters can help.
Why Is Tinnitus Worse at Night?
The most common reason tinnitus gets worse at night is simple: silence. During the day, environmental sounds like conversations, traffic, TV, etc, help mask the ringing or buzzing in your ears. But at night, when everything is quiet, your brain becomes more aware of the internal noise. In some cases, stress and fatigue from the day can also increase tinnitus perception. And for others, it may be related to how the brain processes sound, rather than the ears alone.
If you’re regularly dealing with tinnitus that’s worse at night, these can be potential contributing factors:
- Lack of background noise: No external sounds = more focus on internal ones
- Stress and anxiety: These often spike at night and are known tinnitus triggers
- Fatigue: Mental exhaustion may reduce your ability to “tune out” the ringing
- Sleep position: Lying down can change blood flow or ear pressure, increasing awareness
- Underlying hearing loss: Especially high-frequency hearing loss, which often goes unnoticed
You may even experience tinnitus in one ear only, which could signal a specific issue like earwax blockage or damage to one ear.
The Role of the Brain in Tinnitus
While many assume tinnitus is purely an “ear issue,” research suggests the brain plays a key role in how we perceive it especially during quiet moments.
In fact, new thinking points to the central auditory system and brain activity as major contributors. If you’d like to explore this further, Harvard Health has a great article on new thinking about tinnitus and how your brain is involved.
Can Stress Bring On Tinnitus?
Yes, stress can bring on tinnitus, and it can definitely make it worse. The body’s stress response may heighten your awareness of internal sounds. It also makes it harder to fall asleep, which adds to the cycle of worsening symptoms at night. Managing stress through lifestyle changes or mindfulness practices may help reduce your perception of tinnitus.
Do Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus?
Many people ask: do hearing aids help tinnitus? The answer is often yes, especially if your tinnitus is linked to hearing loss (which is common).
Hearing aids can:
- Improve overall hearing clarity
- Reduce the contrast between internal and external sound
- Some models include tinnitus masking features, playing soft sounds to distract your brain from the ringing
- May improve sleep quality by reducing the intensity of symptoms in quiet environments
If you’re considering this option, hearing aids for tinnitus are now more advanced and discreet than ever.
Will Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus at Night?
While they’re not a cure, hearing aids can help manage tinnitus, even at night. Some people wear them in the evening to help them fall asleep, while others use them during the day to reduce overall tinnitus intensity.
Looking for the best hearing aid for tinnitus in Australia? That depends on your specific needs, and that’s where a personalised evaluation comes in. At Hearing Matters, we offer free hearing aid evaluations and you also have the option to take home a hearing aid for free to determine the benefits for yourself. It’s a great first step to determine whether hearing aids will be beneficial for your tinnitus.
What You Can Do to Manage Night-Time Tinnitus
If you’ve noticed your tinnitus is worse at night, here are some simple strategies to help:
- Use a white noise machine or fan
- Try low-volume music or nature sounds
- Avoid stimulants like caffeine before bed
- Reduce screen time and stress in the evening
- Keep a consistent sleep routine
- Book a free professional hearing evaluation with Hearing Matters
Hearing Matters Can Help
At Hearing Matters, we understand how disruptive tinnitus can be, especially when it interferes with sleep. That’s why we offer a free hearing aid evaluation across all our South Australian clinics.
Here’s what’s included:
- A professional hearing check tailored to your needs
- Expert advice on whether hearing aids could help with your tinnitus
- The chance to take home a hearing aid for free to see the benefits for yourself with no pressure or obligation
Whether you’re searching for ‘ear aids for tinnitus’, ‘tinnitus relief at night’, or just answers, we’re here to help you take the next step.
Ready to stop letting tinnitus control your nights?
Book your free hearing aid evaluation with Hearing Matters today and take control of your hearing, and your sleep.