Some researchers believe hypertension, or high blood pressure, may lead to tinnitus and hearing loss. However, evidence from clinical studies is inconsistent, and scientists do not fully understand the possible underlying connections between the conditions.

Various research suggests there may be a link between tinnitus and hypertension. However, connections between the two are unclear, and scientists do not fully understand how they may affect each other.

Scientists have proposed several reasons why hypertension and tinnitus may co-occur. These include changes in blood flow near the ear, inner ear tissue damage, and ear damage caused by hypertension medication.

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Research suggests there may be a link between tinnitus and hypertension, as studies have found that the conditions commonly co-occur. For example:

  • A 2021 study found that 45.8% of people with hypertension also had tinnitus (compared to 39.2% of people who did not have hypertension).
  • Research from 2022 found a tinnitus prevalence of 41.5% in people with hypertension, compared to 22.8% of people in a control group.
  • Research from 2021 suggests hearing health problems were more prevalent among adults with hypertension, around 79%, than among those without hypertension, which was around 54%.

However, scientists are uncertain about the possible cause-and-effect relationship between the two. More research is necessary to determine possible connections between the conditions.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a persistent sound in one or both ears. It is described as ringing, buzzing, or roaring.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, tinnitus affects between 10% and 25% of people. It may improve over time or worsen.

Experts do not fully understand the causes of tinnitus but have linked the condition to various medications, hearing loss, noise exposure, and other risk factors.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, means that a person’s blood exerts excessive force against their blood vessels.

It is high if someone’s blood pressure consistently reads higher than 140 over 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120 over less than 80 mm Hg.

Hypertension can lead to complications such as atherosclerosis, which occurs when the arteries narrow and plaque builds up around the artery wall. This can result in health problems, including heart failure, stroke, and blindness.

Tinnitus may not cause hypertension directly. However, it may contribute to stress and anxiety, which could cause or worsen hypertension.

According to research, many people who experience tinnitus report that it causes psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Tinnitus can worsen stress, and in return, stress can exacerbate tinnitus.

Long-term stress may contribute to high blood pressure. Stress can also increase the risk of alcohol overuse, poor diet, and other lifestyle choices that may increase blood pressure.

Tinnitus may also cause sleep disturbances, altering a person’s lipid profile and blood pressure. This can contribute to hypertension and conditions that may increase the risk of hypertension, such as obesity.

Research suggests hypertension may contribute to tinnitus, although the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear.

Scientists suggest several ways in which hypertension could cause or worsen tinnitus. These include:

Doctors do not always know the causes of hypertension or tinnitus.

Possible causes of tinnitus include:

Multiple factors may contribute to hypertension, including:

A person may also develop hypertension as a complication of another health problem, such as:

A doctor may treat tinnitus and hypertension by treating their causes. If hypertension is the cause of the tinnitus, a doctor may suggest treatment to lower and manage blood pressure, which can have a fringe benefit for the tinnitus.

Treatment for hypertension can involve:

  • lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, and reducing alcohol use
  • stress reduction techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga
  • medication, such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers

If a doctor believes hypertension medication may be the cause of a person’s tinnitus, they may suggest changing to a different type of medication.

Other tinnitus treatments include:

  • addressing the underlying causes, when possible
  • hearing aids
  • masking the tinnitus sounds with sound generators
  • psychotherapy to treat mental health complications
  • medications to treat symptoms such as sleep disturbances and anxiety

Taking steps to improve overall physical and mental health could help improve the symptoms of hypertension and tinnitus.

This could involve:

  • getting regular exercise
  • eating a healthful diet
  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • stopping or avoiding smoking
  • avoiding excessive alcohol use
  • practicing stress relief techniques
  • developing healthy sleep habits
  • seeking mental health support

Tinnitus and hypertension may link together, as research suggests that people with hypertension could be more likely to develop tinnitus. However, scientists do not fully understand how the conditions affect each other.

Scientists suggest that changes in blood flow in or near the ear due to hypertension could lead to tinnitus. They also believe hypertension and medication to treat it may damage the inner ear, which may lead to tinnitus and hearing loss. However, more research is necessary to confirm these theories.

Tinnitus may also contribute to hypertension by increasing stress and causing sleep disturbances.

Treatment for hypertension and tinnitus may vary depending on their severity and underlying causes. They can include lifestyle changes, medication, and mental health treatment.