The causes are as varied as the symptoms of tinnitus: a disease of the inner ear (Meniere's disease) is just as likely as a narrowing of the large vessels in the neck, wear and tear of the cervical spine or temporomandibular joint disorders. However, diabetes, lipometabolic disorders and high blood pressure can also be the cause of noises in the ear.

Stress is also thought to be a trigger. However, it is usually caused by a noise or bang trauma - when it suddenly becomes extremely loud for a very short time.

Tinnitus becomes chronic after three months

The best person to find out the cause is your family doctor or ENT specialist. They can also prescribe the appropriate therapy - because no two cases of tinnitus are the same. Sometimes the noises disappear on their own - but sometimes they don't.

From three months onwards, it is referred to as chronic tinnitus. At some point, the brain is no longer able to block out the beeping. It does not come from the ear, but takes place in the limbic system, the seat of our emotional life. This is why tinnitus can still be present even if the auditory nerve has been severed and sound signals are no longer transmitted to the brain.

Relaxation techniques and psychological help

But what helps against tinnitus? There are several therapies: If the noises have not been there for long, a ginkgo extract (e.g. Tebonin, pharmacy) can help. Infusions and cortisone can also reduce the annoying ringing in the ears. Tinnitus retraining therapy teaches sufferers to block out the noises.

Relaxation techniques and psychological help with stress and emotional strain can also help. A so-called noise generator produces a permanent noise to distract from the tinnitus, to get used to it and to block it out.

Tinnitus in figures

According to a study by the German Tinnitus League, one in four Germans has experienced ringing in the ears. 2.7 million suffer from it for more than a month. Every year, 250,000 people fall ill for the first time, ten to 20 percent of them chronically.