{"id":6772,"date":"2026-06-11T18:45:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T17:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/?p=6772"},"modified":"2026-06-11T18:46:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T17:46:01","slug":"o-que-provoca-o-zumbido-nos-ouvidos-tinnitus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/o-que-provoca-o-zumbido-nos-ouvidos-tinnitus\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes ringing in the ears? \u2014 Tinnitus"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6772\" class=\"elementor elementor-6772\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fa6114 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3fa6114\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f05c0bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f05c0bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Short answer:<\/strong> Tinnitus \u2014 medically known as <em>tinnitus<\/em> \u2014 is caused in most cases by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, which <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">causes the brain to generate its own sound signal<\/span> in the absence of external stimulation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c639ab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"c639ab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-87d2c88 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/2026\/06\/11\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewbox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>11 June 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-317ad56e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"317ad56e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7039\" src=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/causas-zumbido-nos-ouvidos-tinnitus-portugal.webp\" alt=\"Homem portugu\u00eas com vis\u00edvel express\u00e3o de desconforto, a tocar na orelha devido ao zumbido nos ouvidos (tinnitus). A express\u00e3o de d\u00favida indica n\u00e3o conhecer as causas do zumbido no ouvido.\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/causas-zumbido-nos-ouvidos-tinnitus-portugal.webp 1536w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/causas-zumbido-nos-ouvidos-tinnitus-portugal-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/causas-zumbido-nos-ouvidos-tinnitus-portugal-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/causas-zumbido-nos-ouvidos-tinnitus-portugal-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/causas-zumbido-nos-ouvidos-tinnitus-portugal-18x12.webp 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/p><h2>Tinnitus <em>Subjective<\/em> or <em>Objective<\/em>: Not All Tinnitus Is the Same<\/h2><p>Before realising what causes the <a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/tinnitus\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>ringing in the ears<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, it is worth noting that there are <strong>two basic types<\/strong> \u2014 and that this distinction changes the course of the diagnosis.<\/p><p>O <strong>subjective tinnitus<\/strong> is the most common, accounting for more than <strong>90% <\/strong>in some cases: the sound that only those who suffer can hear.<\/p><p>O <strong>objective tinnitus<\/strong> It is rare, and corresponds to a real sound produced inside the body \u2014 usually by <strong>vascular changes<\/strong> \u2014 and can be felt from the outside. It often beats in time with the heartbeat.<\/p><div class=\"nota-importante\">If the ringing pulsates in the <strong>heart rate<\/strong> \u2014 speeds up when the heart speeds up, slows down when it slows down \u2014 you are facing a <strong>warning sign<\/strong>. Pulsatile tinnitus may indicate vascular changes that require <strong>urgent medical assessment<\/strong>.<\/div><h2>The Most Common Causes of Tinnitus<\/h2><p>Tinnitus <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">It is a symptom, not a disease<\/span>. <strong>There is always an underlying cause<\/strong> \u2014 although identifying it sometimes requires careful investigation.<\/p><h3>Damage to Hair Cells and Exposure to Noise<\/h3><p>The hair cells in the inner ear convert the <strong>sound as an electrical signal<\/strong> to the brain. Prolonged exposure to loud noise causes progressive damage to them and, often, <strong>permanent<\/strong>. When this happens, the brain \u201cmisses\u201d the signal it was expecting to receive and starts to generate its own \u2014 which is experienced as tinnitus.<\/p><h3>Age-related hearing loss<\/h3><p>It is the most common cause in adults over the age of 60 \u2014 around <strong>2 out of 5<\/strong> In this age group, some people have hearing loss, and tinnitus often accompanies many of these cases as a result of progressive sensory deprivation.<\/p><h3>Medicines that can cause tinnitus<\/h3><p>A factor that is often overlooked: there are more than 200 drugs with potential <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msdmanuals.com\/pt\/profissional\/dist%C3%BArbios-do-ouvido-nariz-e-garganta\/dist%C3%BArbios-da-orelha-interna\/ototoxicidade-induzida-por-f%C3%A1rmacos\"><strong>ototoxic<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 capable of damaging the structures of the inner ear. The main groups include:<\/p><ul><li><strong>aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, streptomycin),<\/strong><\/li><li><strong> loop diuretics (furosemide),<\/strong><\/li><li><strong> high-dose anti-inflammatory drugs,<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>If the ringing <strong>came about<\/strong> or <strong>worsened<\/strong> after starting a new medication, <strong>mention it to the doctor<\/strong>.<\/p><h3>Vascular and Metabolic Causes<\/h3><p>A <strong>high blood pressure<\/strong> uncontrolled and the <strong>diabetes<\/strong> damage the blood vessels that supply the inner ear \u2014 and by treating these conditions, tinnitus can improve significantly.<\/p><h2>When Tinnitus Originates in the Neck or Jaw<\/h2><p>One of the most underdiagnosed causes is <strong>musculoskeletal in origin<\/strong>.<\/p><p>O <em><strong>cervicogenic tinnitus<\/strong><\/em> is the result of changes in <strong>cervical spine<\/strong> or at the <strong>temporomandibular joint (TMJ)<\/strong>, which have direct connections to the auditory pathways in the brainstem.<\/p><p>Bruxism (teeth grinding), chronic neck tension, prolonged poor posture whilst using a screen, and neck injuries are among the conditions <strong>most commonly associated with<\/strong> to this type of tinnitus.<\/p><div class=\"dica-valiosa\">If the ringing <strong>gets worse by the end of the working day<\/strong>, depending on the position of the head, or <strong>coexists with neck tension<\/strong>, it may be caused by a cervical or mandibular issue. This type of tinnitus responds to <strong>specialised physiotherapy<\/strong> \u2014 and is not treated in the same way as that of auditory origin.<\/div><h2>What Happens in the Brain When You Have Tinnitus<\/h2><p>Whatever the cause, chronic tinnitus is, to a large extent, a <strong>brain phenomenon<\/strong> \u2014 which explains why there\u2019s a buzzing sound <strong>persists<\/strong> even when <em>\u201cMy ear is fine\u201d<\/em>.<\/p><p>When the inner ear stops sending the usual signal, the brain does not fall silent: <strong>is worth it<\/strong>, increasing spontaneous activity in the auditory cortex and <strong>generating a signal that is interpreted as sound<\/strong>.<\/p><p>It is a <strong>adaptation mechanism<\/strong> which, in this context, becomes counterproductive. The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/stress-e-fadiga-mental\/\">chronic stress<\/a> <\/strong>and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/ansiedade\/\">anxiety<\/a><\/strong> exacerbate this process \u2014 the <a href=\"https:\/\/pt.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sistema_l%C3%ADmbico\"><strong>limbic system<\/strong><\/a> (the body\u2019s emotional centre) is anatomically linked to the auditory pathways, and in <strong>prolonged states of alert<\/strong>, that connection <strong>amplifies<\/strong> the perception of tinnitus, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.<\/p><h2>Why Does Tinnitus Get Worse in Silence and at Night?<\/h2><p>During the day, the sounds of the surrounding environment <strong>compete<\/strong> help manage tinnitus symptoms and reduce their impact. When the <strong>silence falls<\/strong>, the contrast increases sharply \u2014 and the brain\u2019s attention system <strong>focuses on that signal<\/strong> with much greater intensity.<\/p><div class=\"dica-valiosa\">Put a <strong>soft ambient sound in the background<\/strong> at night \u2014 rain, \u201cwhite noise\u201d, soft instrumental music \u2014 reduces this contrast and helps the brain to <strong>\u201cswitch off\u201d your focus on the tinnitus<\/strong>, making it easier to fall asleep. It is a simple strategy, but one backed by solid clinical evidence.<\/div><h2>Is There a Treatment for Tinnitus? Where to Start<\/h2><p>It depends on the <strong>cause<\/strong> \u2014 and that is precisely why the <strong>correct identification<\/strong>\u00a0It is the most important step.<\/p><p>O <strong>tinnitus<\/strong> <strong>pharmacological<\/strong> can be resolved with medication.<\/p><p>O <strong>cervical tinnitus<\/strong> physiotherapy is the answer.<\/p><p>O <strong>vascular tinnitus<\/strong> improvements in the management of high blood pressure or diabetes.<\/p><p>For those <strong>chronic conditions of central origin (<a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/neurologia\/\">neurological<\/a>)<\/strong>, the most effective approaches target patterns of brain activity.<\/p><p><strong>To find out more about<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/que-medico-devo-procurar-para-o-zumbido-nos-ouvidos\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Which doctor should I see for tinnitus, and what treatments are available?<\/strong><\/span><\/a><strong>,<\/strong> <strong>Click on the link to read an article on this topic.<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"pontos-chave\"><h2>\ud83e\udde0 Key Points to Retain<\/h2><ul><li>Tinnitus is classified as subjective (more than 90% of cases) and objective (rare, usually vascular and pulsatile).<\/li><li>The most common causes include damage to hair cells, age-related hearing loss, ototoxic medications, high blood pressure and diabetes.<\/li><li>More than 200 drugs have ototoxic potential \u2014 aminoglycoside antibiotics, loop diuretics and anti-inflammatory drugs at high doses are among the main ones.<\/li><li>Cervicogenic tinnitus \u2014 originating in the neck or jaw \u2014 is often underdiagnosed and responds to specialist physiotherapy.<\/li><li>In chronic tinnitus, the auditory cortex generates its own sound signal \u2014 the problem is no longer confined to the ear.<\/li><li>Tinnitus gets worse in silence because the environmental sounds that mask the tinnitus during the day are no longer present.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">FAQs \u2014 Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2><h3>Does tinnitus in just one ear mean something different?<\/h3><p>Yes. Unilateral tinnitus may indicate localised causes such as a wax plug, otitis, or, more rarely, an acoustic neuroma. It should be assessed as a matter of some urgency, especially if it has come on suddenly.<\/p><h3>Can stress cause tinnitus?<\/h3><p>Not directly, but it can trigger it in susceptible individuals and significantly exacerbates existing cases. A state of chronic alertness amplifies the perception of internal auditory signals \u2014 it is common for tinnitus to worsen during periods of heightened psychological stress.<\/p><h3>Could the medicines I\u2019ve taken have caused my tinnitus?<\/h3><p>It is a real possibility. If the tinnitus started after you began taking a new medication, mention it to your doctor \u2014 never stop taking it on your own. In many cases, adjusting or changing the medication will resolve the problem.<\/p><h3>Can tinnitus go away on its own?<\/h3><p>Acute tinnitus can resolve within hours or days. When it persists for more than three months, it is considered chronic and rarely goes away without treatment \u2014 but \u201cchronic\u201d does not mean \u201cpermanent\u201d: with the right approach, it is possible to significantly reduce its intensity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Resposta curta: O zumbido nos ouvidos \u2014 clinicamente chamado tinnitus \u2014 \u00e9 causado na maioria dos casos por dano nas c\u00e9lulas auditivas do ouvido interno, que leva o c\u00e9rebro a gerar o seu pr\u00f3prio sinal sonoro na aus\u00eancia de est\u00edmulo externo. Tinnitus Subjetivo ou Objetivo: Nem Todo o Zumbido \u00c9 Igual Antes de perceber o [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[45],"class_list":["post-6772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-geral","tag-novo-layout"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6772"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6772\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7052,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6772\/revisions\/7052"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neuropsiquiatria.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}