Living with a non-stop ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in your ears can be maddening!lLets clear the doubt now-”What is tinnitus?” The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 7 adults experience some degree of tinnitus. Luckily, most people do not have to “just live with it.” A clear diagnosis and a personalised care plan for the Tinnitus treatment can significantly reduce the impact of tinnitus on sleep, concentration, and overall quality of life.
This in-depth guide explains what is tinnitus and its causes , which tests ENT doctors use to pinpoint the source, and the science-backed treatment options now available in Dubai. Whether your symptoms recently appeared or you have struggled for years, the information below will help you take the next informed step toward relief.
What Exactly Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. Patients often describe it as:
- Ringing
- Hissing
- Pulsing
- Clicking
- Humming
In most cases the noise is subjective (only the patient hears it), but occasionally an ENT specialist in Dubai can detect an objective pulsating sound during the examination. The sensation may be constant or temporary, and it can affect one ear or both.
Common Causes of Tinnitus
Because tinnitus is a symptom rather than a standalone disease, uncovering the root cause is the first step in any treatment plan. ENT clinics in Dubai typically investigate the following causes:
| Category | Specific Triggers | Notes |
| Ear-related | Impacted earwax, middle-ear infections, otosclerosis, age-related hearing loss | Ear wax and Infections are often managed in in the clinic itself. |
| Noise & trauma | Prolonged headphone use, industrial noise, sudden blast injuries | UAE occupational health studies link these exposures to rising tinnitus cases |
| Ototoxic medication | Certain antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, high-dose aspirin | Stopping or switching drugs can reverse symptoms |
| Circulatory disorders | Hypertension, arteriosclerosis, glomus tumours | May produce rhythmic “pulsatile” tinnitus |
| Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues | Jaw clenching, malocclusion, bruxism | Collaborative ENT–dental management often required |
| Neurological & systemic | Ménière’s disease, acoustic neuroma, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction | Advanced imaging and lab work recommended |
Why Tinnitus is so common in the UAE
Dubai’s dynamic lifestyle exposes residents to loud entertainment venues, construction noise, and frequent airline travel-factors that raise the risk of both temporary and chronic tinnitus. High smartphone usage with earbuds also delivers sustained sound pressure directly to the inner ear. A 2024 survey by the Emirates Medical Association reported that 38 percent of young adults regularly listen above 90 dB, exceeding the safe daily limit set by the WHO.
Key symptoms that merit an ENT Consultation
Occasional mild ringing after a concert usually fades on its own. Book an appointment with an ENT specialist in Dubai if you notice:
- Tinnitus persisting for more than one week
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
- Ear pain, pressure, or discharge
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Tinnitus that matches your heartbeat (pulsatile)
- Anxiety, insomnia, or inability to focus due to the noise
Prompt evaluation rules out serious conditions such as acoustic neuroma and optimises the chance of recovering any lost hearing.
How ENT Specialists Diagnose Tinnitus
A Tinnitus work-up at Ascent ENT Speciality Centre is thorough yet non-invasive. It typically includes:
- Comprehensive medical history. The ENT physician asks about noise exposure, medications, jaw pain, allergies, and cardiovascular risk factors.
- Otoscopic exam. A microscopic camera checks for wax blockage, infection, or eardrum perforation.
- Pure-tone audiometry. This test maps your hearing thresholds across frequencies to detect sensorineural or conductive loss.
- Tympanometry. Measures middle-ear pressure and eardrum mobility.
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAE). Evaluates outer hair-cell function in the cochlea.
- Tinnitus matching and masking. Determines the pitch and loudness of your perceived sound.
- Imaging when indicated. High-resolution MRI or CT scans assess for tumours, vascular malformations, or inner-ear anomalies.
- Laboratory tests. Thyroid panel, fasting glucose, and lipid profile help uncover metabolic contributors.
The results allow the team of Best ENT doctor in Dubai , our team of audiologists in Dubai , and, when needed, Speech and voice therapists to design an evidence-based care pathway.
Proven Tinnitus Treatment Options Available in Dubai
There is no one-size-fits-all cure, but a combination of therapies can dramatically reduce the perceived volume and emotional burden. Below are the main modalities offered at Best ENT hospital in Dubai such as Ascent Dubai.
1. Treating the underlying cause
- Microsuction earwax removal
- Antibiotics or antifungals for otitis media and externa
- Surgical stapedotomy for otosclerosis (performed by trained ENT surgeons)
- Blood-pressure optimisation and statin therapy for vascular tinnitus (in coordination with your cardiologist)
2. Hearing aids with tinnitus masking
Up to 90 percent of tinnitus patients also have measurable hearing loss. Modern digital hearing aids amplify ambient sounds, which naturally mask tinnitus. Many devices include built-in sound generators that play customised white or pink noise. Ascent’s audiology department fits hearing aids of multiple leading brands, programming them to your specific tinnitus frequency profile.
3. Sound therapy and habituation programs
If you have normal hearing, dedicated sound generators (wearable or bedside) can deliver low-level broadband noise that trains the brain to tune out tinnitus. Clinical trials show that daily use for 6 to 12 months improves quality-of-life scores by up to 60 percent.
4. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
A 2023 meta-analysis published in The Lancet confirmed that CBT remains the most effective psychological intervention for tinnitus distress. Certified therapists in Dubai teach coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and cognitive reframing. Ascent ENT partners with behavioural health specialists for seamless referrals.
5. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
TRT combines low-level noise generators with directive counselling. The goal is to habituate the auditory system so the tinnitus signal becomes neutral background information. Numerous clinics report success rates between 70 and 80 percent after 18 months of disciplined use.
6. Medication where appropriate
No pill can eliminate tinnitus outright, but certain prescriptions can curb associated anxiety and insomnia:
- Short-course anxiolytics
- Low-dose antidepressants
- Night-time melatonin (shown in small studies to reduce tinnitus intensity)
Always discuss potential side effects and drug interactions with your ENT specialist in Dubai before starting any medication.
7. Lifestyle and at-home strategies
- Limit caffeine and nicotine, which can heighten auditory nerve excitability
- Use high-fidelity earplugs at concerts and during water sports
- Practise jaw relaxation and address teeth grinding with a dental guard
- Download reputable sound-therapy apps that offer ocean waves or gentle rain loops
Emerging Treatments Worth Watching
- Neuromodulation devices that stimulate the vagus or trigeminal nerve in sync with auditory tones have shown promise in European trials.
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the auditory cortex is being studied at several Gulf research centres.
- Gene therapies aimed at regenerating damaged cochlear hair cells are in early-phase clinical studies.
While these advances are exciting, they remain experimental. Consulting a qualified ENT specialist is still your fastest route to relief in 2025.
Why Choose Ascent ENT Speciality Centre for Tinnitus Care?
- Well-trained ENT surgeons with specific experience in Otology and Neurotology
- State-of-the-art Audiology suite featuring soundproof booths, OAE, and ABR testing
- Multidisciplinary team including speech therapists and vestibular physiotherapists
- On-site allergy Treatment in Dubai for sinus-related tinnitus triggers
- Convenient location in the heart of Dubai with both walk-in and scheduled appointments
Learn more about our comprehensive Audiology and Hearing Care service at Ascent ENT.
Take the First Step Toward Silence
Don’t let relentless ringing dictate your days. Schedule a personalised tinnitus assessment with Ascent’s expert ENT specialists and audiologists today.