Hearing a constant buzzing, ringing, or clicking sound in your ears can be distracting and frustrating. This is called tinnitus, which means you hear sounds that don’t come from an outside source. Tinnitus can be linked to hearing loss and other conditions, and it may also happen during perimenopause and menopause.

Tinnitus Symptoms

Tinnitus is not a disease. It’s a symptom that can affect one or both ears. With tinnitus, you may hear humming, buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or ringing that nobody else can hear. It can come and go or be more permanent.

Tinnitus can be soft and hard to notice, or it can be very loud and hard to ignore. For some people, tinnitus can make it hard to sleep, think, or focus.

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Tinnitus During Menopause

Tinnitus is not one of the common symptoms of menopause, but it can happen. Menopause can affect many parts of the body, including the ears and auditory system, which helps you hear and process sound. Some estimates suggest that up to 30 percent of women may have new or worsening ringing in the ears during perimenopause or menopause.

Tinnitus and Hormone Levels

Fluctuating hormones, especially lower estrogen levels, may contribute to ringing in the ears during menopause. Some studies have shown that women with tinnitus during menopause have lower estrogen levels than those without it.

Estrogen helps with auditory processing. It helps regulate blood flow to the inner ears, protects tiny hair cells that help you hear, filters out background noise, and turns sounds into signals your brain can understand.

When estrogen levels drop or change, these systems can stop working properly, causing sensitivity to sound. This extra sensitivity can make tinnitus that was once mild or barely noticeable feel more distracting and unpredictable.

Tinnitus as a Result of Other Menopause Challenges

Ringing in your ears may not come directly from hormone changes. It may be linked to another menopause-related issue, such as anxiety, depression, or poor sleep. All of these conditions can make tinnitus worse, and are also common issues in menopause and perimenopause. Lack of sleep, in particular, may make tinnitus more challenging.

Other Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus can be caused by a range of conditions besides menopause. Some common causes include:

• Hearing loss — Age-related hearing loss is the most common cause.
• Exposure to loud sounds — A loud concert or working with heavy machinery can cause tinnitus.
• Ear infection — Infection or wax buildup can make tinnitus more noticeable.
• Head or neck injury — Injuries like a concussion or whiplash may cause tinnitus.
• Dental problems — Issues with your teeth or bite may cause tinnitus.
• Medication — Some medicines have tinnitus as a reported side effect, including some antidepressants, pain relievers, and blood pressure medicines.
• Jaw problems — Issues with the jaw, such as temporomandibular joint disorders, may cause tinnitus.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you have tinnitus during perimenopause, you are not alone. For someone who hasn’t experienced it, tinnitus might sound minor, but it can be very intrusive and affect your quality of life. Talk with your healthcare team if tinnitus is affecting you.

Also, any new, surprising, worsening, or unexpected menopausal symptoms are worth mentioning to your care team. Your doctor can help you pinpoint the cause and recommend the right treatment for you.