Sudden Tinnitus: Should I Go to the ER?
Sudden Tinnitus: Should I Go to the ER?
If ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears started suddenly, it’s normal to feel anxious—and to wonder
whether you should head straight to the emergency room.
What Do We Mean by “Sudden Tinnitus”?
In this article, we’re talking about tinnitus that:
- Appears all at once or within a very short time frame (minutes to hours)
- Is noticeably different from how your ears usually feel
- May be accompanied by other symptoms like muffled hearing, dizziness, or pressure
Some people notice a high-pitched “ping” followed by steady ringing. Others wake up one day with new buzzing,
roaring, or whooshing sounds. For a broader overview of tinnitus itself, start with
What Is Tinnitus? and
Tinnitus Causes & Triggers.
Sudden tinnitus can range from a benign temporary change to a sign of a more serious problem—especially if it
occurs in one ear only or is combined with other symptoms. The safest choice is to take it
seriously, get evaluated, and not just wait months to see what happens.
When Sudden Tinnitus May Be an Emergency
Some combinations of symptoms are concerning enough that you should seek emergency or urgent medical
care right away (ER or emergency services), not just schedule a routine hearing test.
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears (sounds feel significantly muffled or “gone”)
- Severe vertigo or spinning that makes it hard to stand or walk
- Sudden weakness, drooping, or numbness in the face, arm, or leg
- Difficulty speaking, confusion, or trouble understanding others
- Sudden, extremely severe headache (“worst headache of my life”)
- Double vision, loss of vision, or major balance problems
- Recent head or neck trauma (car accident, sports injury, fall) followed by tinnitus
These symptoms can be related to conditions that require immediate attention, such as stroke or acute
neurological or vascular problems. Online information—including this page—cannot safely rule those out.
For more details on concerning tinnitus symptoms, see
When to See a Doctor About Tinnitus and
What Is Pulsatile Tinnitus?.
Urgent but Not 911: When to Call a Doctor Soon
Other situations may not require an ER but do call for prompt medical attention—typically
same-day or within a few days, depending on availability.
You should contact your primary care doctor or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist promptly if:
- Tinnitus starts suddenly in one ear only, even without other symptoms
- You notice new tinnitus along with ear fullness, pressure, or pain
- Tinnitus follows a recent ear infection, severe sinus infection, or flu
- You have pulsatile tinnitus—a whooshing or thumping that matches your heartbeat
- Tinnitus starts soon after beginning a new medication that lists ear or hearing-related side effects
- You have a history of Meniere’s disease, TMJ, or other ear/neck disorders and notice a major change
For one-sided tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus, medical providers may order imaging (like MRI or CT) or other
tests to look for vascular or structural causes. Learn more in
Meniere’s Disease and Tinnitus,
TMJ and Tinnitus Connection, and
Medications That Cause Tinnitus.
When You Can Schedule an Audiology Visit
In other situations, sudden tinnitus may still feel alarming, but an emergency room isn’t always the best place.
It may be reasonable to schedule a tinnitus and hearing evaluation with an audiologist if:
- Tinnitus started recently but you feel otherwise well and have no severe symptoms
- Both ears are affected similarly and you don’t feel acutely ill
- The tinnitus occurred after a loud event, but there are no red-flag symptoms
- You already saw a doctor who ruled out urgent medical issues and recommended follow-up
At California Hearing Center, we can perform a comprehensive hearing evaluation, tinnitus assessment, and
counseling to help you understand what’s going on and what to do next. See
What to Expect at Your Tinnitus Appointment and
Tinnitus Severity Assessment.
Common Causes of Sudden-Onset Tinnitus
Sudden tinnitus can have many causes. Some are temporary and reversible; others are longer term. Only a thorough
evaluation can determine the most likely cause in your case, but common possibilities include:
Acute Noise Exposure
A very loud event—concert, sports arena, fireworks, workplace accident, or headphone blast—can injure delicate
inner ear cells. This may cause sudden tinnitus, often with temporary or permanent hearing changes.
Protecting your ears after an event is critical. See
Simple Steps to Protect and Preserve Your Hearing
.
Fireworks
Sudden Hearing Loss
Some people experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in one ear. Tinnitus is often part of this
picture—along with fullness and muffled sound. SSNHL is considered urgent; early treatment may improve
outcomes. If you suspect sudden hearing loss, seek immediate medical care.
Urgent ENT
Earwax, Fluid, or Infection
Blocked ears from wax, middle ear infections, or fluid behind the eardrum can alter sound and trigger sudden
tinnitus. When the blockage or infection is treated, tinnitus may improve or resolve. Learn more in
Can Earwax Cause Tinnitus?.
Muffled hearing
Circulation or Blood Flow Issues
Changes in blood flow near the ear or skull can cause pulsatile tinnitus—a whooshing, thumping, or heartbeat
sound. Some causes are benign; others can be serious, so pulsatile tinnitus should be discussed with a
physician. See What Is Pulsatile Tinnitus?.
Heartbeat noise
Jaw or Neck Changes (Somatic Tinnitus)
TMJ disorders, neck strain, or injury can sometimes trigger tinnitus suddenly—especially if the sound changes
when you move your jaw or neck. Read more in
TMJ and Tinnitus Connection.
Neck tension
Stress, Illness, or Medications
Sometimes, tinnitus emerges during a period of high stress, illness, or medication change. Even if hearing
test results look stable, your brain can become more aware of internal sounds, making new tinnitus appear
“out of the blue.” See
Coping with Tinnitus Anxiety and
Medications That Cause Tinnitus.
New meds
Remember: this list is not complete. A full evaluation—and sometimes collaboration between doctors and
audiologists—is the safest way to understand your specific situation. For an overview of the hearing link, see
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss.
How Sudden Tinnitus Is Evaluated
Depending on your symptoms, you may see an emergency provider, primary care doctor, ENT, and/or audiologist.
Here’s what typically happens on the audiology side at California Hearing Center:
1. Detailed Case History
We ask when and how the tinnitus started, whether it’s in one ear or both, what it sounds like, and what
makes it better or worse. We also review medical history, noise exposure, medications, and lifestyle.
2. Ear Examination
We check for wax, infection, fluid, or visible eardrum changes. If we see something that needs medical
treatment, we’ll explain what type of provider to see.
3. Comprehensive Hearing Tests
This often includes pure-tone testing, speech testing, and middle ear measurements. We want to know whether
there is new hearing loss and how it relates to your tinnitus. More on this in
What to Expect at Your Tinnitus Appointment.
4. Tinnitus Assessment & Counseling
We may perform tinnitus pitch and loudness matching and talk through how much tinnitus is affecting your
sleep, focus, and mood. You can preview this process with our
Tinnitus Severity Assessment.
5. Coordinated Plan
If medical red flags are present, we’ll encourage appropriate physician follow-up. If testing suggests a
stable pattern, we’ll outline treatment options—such as
hearing aids for tinnitus,
sound therapy, and
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)—and discuss next steps.
See Comprehensive Tinnitus Treatment Options.
What You Can Do Right Now
While you are arranging medical or audiologic follow-up, a few steps may help you feel calmer and reduce your
risk of further ear stress:
-
Protect your ears from additional loud sounds—no concerts, power tools, or very loud
headphones. See
Simple Steps to Protect and Preserve Your Hearing
. -
Add gentle sound (fan, sound machine, soft music) to avoid total silence, especially at night.
Explore Sound Therapy and
Best Tinnitus Relief Apps. -
Support sleep with a calm bedtime routine and background sound; see
Managing Tinnitus at Night. -
Use relaxation tools such as breathing exercises, gentle stretching, or guided relaxation.
Helpful ideas are in
Coping with Tinnitus Anxiety and
Best Relaxation Techniques for Tinnitus Relief
. -
Be mindful of caffeine and alcohol if you notice they worsen your tinnitus:
Does Caffeine Affect Tinnitus?
and
Could Drinking Alcohol Affect Your Hearing?.
These steps don’t replace medical care, but they can make a stressful situation a bit more manageable as you
arrange proper follow-up.
Sudden Tinnitus in Bay Area Patients
In the San Francisco Bay Area, we often see sudden tinnitus in:
- Tech workers and remote professionals using headphones for many hours per day
- Musicians and frequent concert-goers at venues like the Chase Center or local clubs
- Construction workers and tradespeople exposed to power tools and machinery
- Active adults and retirees who notice new tinnitus along with age-related hearing changes
If you live in San Francisco, the East Bay, South Bay, or Peninsula communities, you can also explore our local
tinnitus pages:
San Francisco Tinnitus Treatment,
East Bay – Oakland & Berkeley,
South Bay & San Jose, and
Peninsula Tinnitus Treatment.
Next Steps with California Hearing Center
Sudden tinnitus can feel frightening—but you don’t have to figure it out alone. If you’ve already addressed any
urgent medical concerns, our doctor-level audiologists can help you:
- Understand possible causes of your sudden tinnitus
- Check for hearing loss or other ear problems
- Learn whether your tinnitus is likely temporary or longer-term
- Design a step-by-step plan to manage and treat tinnitus going forward
You may find it helpful to review these related guides before your visit:
Set Up Your FREE Hearing Consultation with an Expert Today
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