Tinnitus after a cold may result from fluid buildup in the inner ear, untreated infections, or ongoing inflammation. Sound therapy, cognitive therapy, and medications could help.

Tinnitus is a persistent ringing or whistling in the ear that may range from mild to severe. It can be acute (lasting under 6 months) or chronic (lasting more than 6 months).

The exact cause of tinnitus is not clearly understood, but the symptom is often associated with extreme noise exposure and other chronic conditions. Ringing in the ears may also arise or worsen after a severe cold or flu.

Inflammation and infections in the ear may lead to tinnitus in some cases.

Otitis media is the most common ear infection associated with a cold or other upper respiratory infections and allergies.

Fluid and air buildup, as well as inflammation in the Eustachian tube in the middle ear, may increase the pressure behind the eardrum. This pressure could lead to ringing in the ears and some degree of temporary hearing loss.

Prolonged pressure and infection may also damage inner ear structures and could result in long-term tinnitus.

Other possible symptoms of otitis media include:

  • pus
  • blood
  • air pockets
  • swelling
  • inner ear pain
  • headache
  • damage to the eardrum

You may also be more likely to have tinnitus during or after a cold if you have untreated chronic allergies, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or sinus infections, all of which may increase the pressure in your inner ear.

Read more about what makes tinnitus worse.

Ringing in the ears usually resolves on its own once the cold symptoms are gone. However, if fluid and air have not been completely flushed out of the middle ear or if inflammation is still present, you may continue to have tinnitus after a cold.

If you have intermittent or persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears that does not resolve within a few days, it’s important to see a healthcare professional, like a doctor or audiologist. They may want to examine your:

  • ears for signs of eardrum damage, foreign bodies, earwax blockage, air pockets, and discharge
  • upper respiratory airways for signs of sinus infections and inflammation
  • nervous system, especially cranial nerves innervating the face and arteries and veins close to the ear

A healthcare professional may recommend one or more treatments depending on the underlying cause of tinnitus after a cold. The first line of treatment for tinnitus after a cold is to address possible cold-related causes like infections, fluid buildup, and inflammation.

In many cases, the cause of tinnitus cannot be established and management focuses on symptom relief.

Medications

A healthcare professional may recommend medications to treat tinnitus after a cold if this is related to inflammation, allergies, or infections. For example, they may prescribe anti-inflammatories and antibiotics for bacterial infections.

If tinnitus is severe or significantly interfering with daily life, a doctor may also consider medications that act on the nervous system. Anti-anxiety medications and some antidepressants may affect the brain regions associated with hearing, which could relieve ringing in the ears.

No medications exist to treat tinnitus directly, especially if the cause has not been established.

A medical professional may also consider switching you to a new drug if you currently take a medication that may be causing tinnitus as a side effect. For example, some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), loop diuretics, and acid reflux medications may cause ringing in the ears in some people.

Sound therapies

Sound therapy may help distract or reduce ringing in the ears, and some devices could also help if you experience hearing loss from tinnitus. Sound generators, for example, emit soft sounds that may compete with ear buzzing and offer some relief.

A small 2022 study of 58 people with chronic tinnitus indicated that using sound therapy for 3 to 5 hours every day offered relief.

Reducing aggravating factors

Some things may worsen tinnitus and could increase your level of discomfort. Consider the following:

  • Avoid exposure to loud noises, including when using earphones.
  • Engage in stress management techniques like meditation and deep breathing. Anxiety and high levels of stress can worsen tinnitus.
  • If possible, improve your sleep routine by managing your room and body temperature and going to bed at the same time every day.

Cognitive therapy

Some research indicates different types of cognitive therapy may lead to tinnitus relief, especially in people with chronic symptoms.

A 2018 study of 182 adults with chronic tinnitus indicated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) offered significant relief.

A 2022 systematic review found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was an effective therapy for tinnitus. CBT may also help with other symptoms associated with living with tinnitus, like insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, may develop during and after a cold. Sometimes, the symptom is associated with ear or respiratory infections, fluid or air buildup, and inflammation of the inner ear.

Tinnitus may resolve on its own once the cold symptoms are gone. However, some people may continue to experience buzzing or ringing in the ear if fluid or air is still trapped inside the ear.

It’s also possible that a cold worsens existing tinnitus, which could result from other factors, such as eardrum damage, medication side effects, or neurological conditions.

Treatment for tinnitus after a cold depends on its cause, but medications, cognitive therapy, and sound therapy may help.