What causes tinnitus and dizziness?

Ménière’s disease can cause tinnitus and dizziness together. Other possible causes include vestibular migraine, acoustic neuroma, intracranial hypotension, long-haul COVID-19, and more.

Tinnitus refers to a ringing or other constant sound in the ears. Dizziness can cause a person to feel off balance.

The treatment for tinnitus and dizziness will depend on the underlying cause, so it is important to receive an accurate diagnosis.

Read on to learn more about the possible causes and treatment options for tinnitus and dizziness.

Ménière’s disease

Ménière’s disease is an inner ear disorder. Its exact cause is unclear, but it occurs when there is excess fluid in part of the inner ear.

The main symptoms of Ménière’s disease include:

dizziness
tinnitus
hearing loss
congestion or feeling of fullness in the ear

Treatments for the condition can include:

medications to manage dizziness or balance sodium levels
dietary changes
gentamicin antibiotic injections
physical therapy
surgery

Vestibular migraine

According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, vestibular migraine is the most common neurological cause of vertigo, a type of dizziness, in adults.

Vestibular migraine can also cause tinnitus.

Although the exact cause is unclear, triggers for vestibular migraine can include:

certain foods
hormonal changes
stress
not getting enough quality sleep
dehydration

Medications and lifestyle changes may help manage vestibular migraine. Hearing aids and white noise machines may also help reduce tinnitus directly.

Learn about vestibular migraine and diet.

Intracranial hypotension

Intracranial hypotension develops when there is reduced cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, which decreases pressure. It can cause dizziness, tinnitus, and other symptoms such as:

a throbbing headache
feeling tired
feeling sick
irritability
balance problems
confusion
weakness

Treatments for intracranial hypotension can include medications and steroids. Surgery may be necessary if there is a risk of vision loss.

Viral infection

A viral infection may cause dizziness and tinnitus.

Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are infections of the inner ear that usually develop due to a viral infection. Both conditions can lead to dizziness and tinnitus.

Symptoms will usually begin to reduce within a few days. However, a person’s balance can take 2 to 6 weeks to return.

A doctor may recommend antihistamines to treat the infection.

Learn more about ear infections.

Long-haul COVID-19

Long-haul COVID-19, or long COVID, refers to symptoms that persist for some time after the virus that causes COVID-19 has resolved.

There are many possible symptoms of long COVID, including dizziness and tinnitus. Examples of other symptoms include:

tiredness
fever
shortness of breath
coughing
headaches
heart palpitations

How long symptoms last will differ for each person — some may persist for weeks or years.

Treatment for long COVID will depend on which symptoms a person experiences.

Head injury

A head injury can cause dizziness and tinnitus.

It is essential to seek immediate medical help if a person experiences tinnitus or dizziness after a head injury.

Third window syndrome

Third window syndrome refers to conditions that can develop due to fluid leakage or pressure from the structures of the inner ear.

Possible causes include:

head injury
straining with a lot of force
tumors or infections affecting the inner ear
surgery

Treatment for third window syndrome includes lifestyle changes and, in some cases, surgery.

Acoustic neuroma

Acoustic neuroma is a benign, or noncancerous, brain tumor that can cause hearing loss in addition to tinnitus and dizziness.

If the tumor is large, other symptoms can include:

double vision
blurry vision
persistent headaches
pain, weakness, or numbness on one side of the face
ataxia, or coordination problems, on one side of the body
dysphagia, or problems swallowing
changes in the voice

A doctor may recommend monitoring the tumor to begin with, while surgery may be sometimes necessary.

Learn more about treatments for acoustic neuroma.

What are the treatments for dizziness and tinnitus?

Addressing the underlying cause may help reduce dizziness and tinnitus.

General tips for managing tinnitus include using:

hearing aids
sound generators
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
tinnitus retraining therapy
antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications if tinnitus affects mood

Learn about natural remedies for tinnitus.

It may be possible to manage dizziness and avoid falling by:

moving more slowly, particularly when standing up
lying down until the dizziness passes
drinking enough water or other fluids
avoiding bending down suddenly
avoiding caffeine
avoiding smoking, if applicable
avoiding consuming alcohol

Learn more about treatments for dizziness.

There is no medication to treat tinnitus directly, but a doctor may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Medications for dizziness will usually depend on the underlying cause. For example, antihistamines may help manage infection symptoms.

Can vertigo be secondary to tinnitus?

A person may experience tinnitus first and then develop vertigo or dizziness later on. These may be due to the same underlying condition, but vertigo may also have a separate cause, so it is best to contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

How can a person get rid of dizziness from fluid in the ear?

The treatment for dizziness due to fluid in the ear will usually depend on the cause. For example, if dizziness occurs due to a fluid imbalance with Ménière’s disease, a combination of dietary changes, medications, and surgery may help.

A person can also manage dizziness by moving more slowly, lying down when necessary, and drinking enough water.

What causes dizziness and ringing in the ears when waking up?

There are numerous possible causes of dizziness and ringing in the ears when waking up. If a person has a viral infection, labyrinthitis, or vestibular neuritis, symptoms may occur upon waking and get progressively worse across the day.

Summary

Possible causes of dizziness and tinnitus include Ménière’s disease, vestibular migraine, intracranial hypotension, third window syndrome, and acoustic neuroma.

Viral infections, long-haul COVID-19, and head injuries can also cause dizziness and tinnitus.

Treatments will usually depend on the underlying cause. A person can also manage tinnitus with hearing aids, sound generators, and therapy. Moving slowly, staying hydrated, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol can help with dizziness.

It is important to contact a doctor for advice if a person experiences tinnitus and dizziness. There are numerous possible causes, and an accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure proper treatment.