If Your Ears Are Ringing (Tinnitus) Could Your Pain Reliever Be at Fault?

Tens of millions of people complain that their ears are ringing (tinnitus). It is a devastating condition that drives many people to distraction. Some even consider suicide because the constant hissing, buzzing, chirping, whooshing, humming, squeaking or roaring can be unbearable. Some people complain of constant static in their ears, like a radio station that has been badly tuned.

However it is described, tinnitus can interfere with hearing and enjoyment of life. It can be hard to fall asleep if you continually have to put up with sounds of chirping crickets, an electronic whine or rushing water. Few people realize that their ears may be “ringing” because of common medications.

Ears Are Ringing Because of NSAID Pain Relievers:

We recently received this distressing message from a reader of our syndicated newspaper column:

Q. I had very mild tinnitus that I could ignore until I took meloxicam. I woke up one morning with an alarm screaming in my ears, but my alarm clock wasn’t ringing; it was my ears. It was terrifying.

The tinnitus was so loud I had trouble hearing people speak. It was three years before it subsided. I still have tinnitus, but it’s livable now.

A. When most healthcare professionals prescribe or dispense nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like celecoxib, ibuprofen, meloxicam or naproxen, they warn about digestive difficulties such as heartburn or ulcers. They may also alert patients to elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular complications such as fluid retention.

Side effects such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, drowsiness or kidney injury may not be mentioned. Other readers have also described disabling tinnitus resulting from meloxicam or other NSAIDS.

There are a number of other ways to ease arthritis pain. They include anti-inflammatory foods, herbs and spices as well as acupuncture or apitherapy. You can learn more about these and other medications in our eGuide to Alternatives for Arthritis. This online resource can be found under the Health eGuides tab.

A BIG Dose of Ibuprofen Leads to Tinnitus:

Q. After knee replacement surgery, my doctor told me to take three or four ibuprofen tablets every four hours for pain. It did not help the pain much, but I developed severe ringing in my ears. After a few years with no ibuprofen, the ringing has almost stopped.

A. NSAID pain relievers such as diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.), meloxicam (Mobic) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) can all affect hearing or trigger tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

The Nurses’ Health Study queried nearly 56,000 women about their use of pain relievers over two decades (American Journal of Epidemiology, Jan. 1, 2017).  Those who took acetaminophen or an NSAID at least twice a week for more than a year were about 10 percent more likely to have hearing loss. A more recent analysis of the Nurses’ Health Study data showed that low-dose aspirin use did not increase the risk for tinnitus (Journal of General Internal Medicine, Nov. 2022).

Would a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound Help?

Q. A while ago, someone wrote to you about tinnitus. They said pineapple juice made it go away.

I found information that says bromelain reduces inflammation, and a study found that tinnitus is associated with inflammation. So I believe the bromelain in the pineapple juice reduces the inflammation and makes the tinnitus go away.

A. Your explanation seems to make sense, but we couldn’t find any studies to support your point. We found reference to only one clinical trial that is remotely relevant. In a study of children with sinusitis, bromelain worked better than standard therapy (Journal of Laryngology and Otology, Aug. 2007). Whether that would apply to tinnitus, we have no idea.

However, you are correct that one reader told us daily pineapple juice keeps his tinnitus under control. No one else has reported this benefit.

Stories from Readers:

Unless your ears are ringing, you cannot truly appreciate what victims of this condition must deal with. Here are some reports from readers:

Val shares this story:

“I have had tinnitus now for 5 years. I struggle every day with it and find I get very stressed and frustrated. For me It’s a mixture of sound; a very high pitched sound combined with a very loud but dull hum. It disturbs my hearing and I must concentrate so much if more than one person is speaking.

“When I lay down I can only describe what it is like as something moving inside my head with a pulsating sound to go with it. I don’t sleep well and white noise doesn’t work for me. My biggest issue is trying to have a doctor understand and empathize.

“I wish I could record and play for others how difficult it can be. Thank you for letting me know I am not alone.”

Sean in New Jersey asks a hard question:

“I have tinnitus due to Seroquel withdrawal. It’s a nightmare. Has anyone who has had this happen actually ever had it go away?”

Several people responded to Sean’s question. James noted that he was into 9 months of Seroquel withdrawal syndrome with tinnitus.  Craig noted that his ears are ringing after he came off Seroquel.

Linda in Colorado had problems with aspirin:

“I switched from aspirin to ibuprofen because aspirin caused temporary ringing in my ears after taking it. Now after three years of taking ibuprofen (every day), I feel like I have permanent pressure in my ears and definitely have hearing loss. I also suffer from dizziness most days and sometimes vertigo. I will stop ibuprofen after reading that NSAIDs can also cause hearing loss. Is there anything to counteract the ear pressure and dizziness?”

Linda, we encourage you to see an ear, nose and throat specialist to rule out anything serious. Perhaps without the ibuprofen on board the pressure will gradually dissipate.

What Else Can You Do For Pain?

If NSAIDs can cause tinnitus for some people and acetaminophen can also affect hearing, what else can people do for pain? We have completely revised and expanded our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis with lots of nondrug options. We doubt that curcumin, tart cherry juice, Knox Gelatin, Certo and grape juice, gin-soaked raisins or ginger will trigger tinnitus.  This online resource allows you to see the scientific articles supporting nondrug approaches for arthritis.