What causes tinnitus during pregnancy

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound (often ringing, buzzing, or whooshing) without an external source. It can occur when the inner-ear or neural signals are disrupted by factors like age-related change, noise exposure, inflammation, circulatory shifts, or medication effects.

It’s surprisingly common during pregnancy. About one in three women develop tinnitus while pregnant, compared to one in ten women of similar age who are not. If you already have tinnitus before becoming pregnant, it may feel more noticeable — especially between the fourth and sixth months — as your body goes through major hormonal and circulatory changes. The good news is that these changes are temporary, and tinnitus symptoms often fade or disappear completely after delivery.

Causes of tinnitus during pregnancy

Tinnitus during pregnancy can develop for many of the same reasons it occurs in non-pregnant adults — like earwax buildup, ear or sinus infections, or jaw tension from TMJ. But pregnancy adds its own unique set of triggers. Shifts in blood pressure, hormone levels, fluid balance, and nutrient needs can all affect the auditory system and make tinnitus more noticeable. In the sections below, we’ll cover the most common pregnancy-related causes.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) can disrupt blood flow to the inner ear, sometimes triggering tinnitus or temporary hearing changes. Because elevated blood pressure can also indicate gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience ringing in your ears along with headaches, swelling, or vision changes.

Iron deficiency

During pregnancy, iron needs increase. Iron-deficiency anemia is relatively common in pregnancy and may be linked to tinnitus (and possibly pulsatile tinnitus, which is when you “hear” your pulse) due to changes in blood flow. Correcting anemia under medical supervision can sometimes reduce symptoms.

Most pregnant adults need about 27 mg of iron per day from diet and supplements, according to the National Institute of Health. Always confirm dosage with your obstetrician before making changes.

Migraines

If you experience migraines, pregnancy can sometimes make them more frequent or intense. Migraines often heighten sound sensitivity, which can make tinnitus more noticeable. Researchers believe that migraine-related changes in blood flow and nerve signaling may temporarily disrupt how the inner ear and brain process sound.

Since migraines affect around 30% of pregnant adults, it’s worth discussing prevention or treatment strategies with your healthcare provider

Sinus or ear infections

Pregnancy-related immune and fluid changes can increase susceptibility to sinus and ear infections. These infections can block the Eustachian tube, alter middle-ear pressure, and cause temporary tinnitus or muffled hearing. Symptoms often improve once the infection resolves.

Fluid retention

Fluid retention (edema) is a normal part of pregnancy but can sometimes affect the delicate structures of the inner ear. Extra fluid can change pressure levels within the ear, leading to sensations of fullness, muffled hearing, or tinnitus. These symptoms often improve after delivery as the body’s fluid balance returns to normal.

Hormonal fluctuations

Shifts in estrogen and progesterone can influence how the inner ear and brain process sound. Estrogen has been shown to affect fluid balance and neural responsiveness in the auditory system. Progesterone, meanwhile, may alter how the inner-ear and brain pathways handle sound signals. Together, these hormonal shifts, paired with increased blood volume and fluid retention, can change pressure and circulation in the inner ear, making you more aware of ringing or buzzing (tinnitus). The good news: tinnitus caused by hormonal changes typically resolves after delivery.

Stress and poor sleep

Poor sleep and tinnitus often go hand in hand. During pregnancy, this connection may feel even stronger — especially when physical discomfort and hormonal changes make it harder to fall or stay asleep. When rest is limited, stress hormones like cortisol rise and activate the body’s hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis — the main system that manages stress. This can alter blood flow and neural activity in the auditory system, making tinnitus seem louder or harder to ignore.

If your tinnitus worsens after sleepless nights, gentle bedtime routines, relaxation techniques, and a consistent sleep schedule may help. Talk with your healthcare provider for additional support managing insomnia or stress.

Medications

Some medications are known to cause tinnitus by affecting the auditory nerve or inner-ear function. During pregnancy, it’s especially important not to start or stop any medication without guidance from your healthcare provider. Common drug classes linked to tinnitus in non-pregnant adults include some antibiotics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, ACE inhibitors, chemotherapy drugs, loop diuretics, and high-dose pain relievers or NSAIDs.

This list is not exhaustive. If you’re taking—or have taken—any of these medications and notice ringing or buzzing in your ears, be sure to speak with your provider.

How to manage tinnitus symptoms during pregnancy

While tinnitus during pregnancy often improves after childbirth, several safe, evidence-based strategies can help you manage symptoms and stay comfortable.

Medical treatments

If tinnitus is impacting quality of life, start with a medical evaluation. Your OB-GYN or primary care provider can check for treatable causes such as high blood pressure, anemia, ear infections, or medication side effects. You may also be referred to an audiologist or ENT specialist for a hearing test or to evaluate middle-ear pressure.

In many cases, addressing the underlying cause — such as correcting anemia or managing blood pressure — can significantly reduce tinnitus symptoms.

Lifestyle modifications

Though easier said than done, you can often ease pregnancy-related tinnitus with small adjustments to your daily routine.

• Manage stress. Deep breathing, prenatal yoga, or guided relaxation can lower cortisol levels and reduce tinnitus perception.

• Support better sleep. Keep a consistent bedtime routine, avoid screens before bed, and create a calm, dark sleep space.

• Try gentle sound therapy. Soft background sounds (like a fan or white-noise machine) can mask tinnitus and make it less noticeable.

• Stay hydrated and moderate salt intake. Proper hydration helps prevent fluid retention, which can affect inner-ear pressure.

• Protect your ears. Avoid loud environments or use ear protection when exposure is unavoidable.

Routine ear exams

Because pregnancy can sometimes cause temporary hearing changes or make tinnitus more noticeable, it’s a good idea to schedule regular ear checks with your healthcare provider or audiologist. These visits help you establish a baseline for your hearing health and catch any reversible causes early. Professional ear cleanings or middle-ear evaluations can also bring quick relief when ear blockage is part of the problem.

Talk to your doctor about tinnitus during pregnancy

No matter what’s causing your tinnitus, it’s important to discuss any new or worsening symptoms with your doctor. They can help confirm the cause, rule out more serious conditions, and guide you toward pregnancy-safe treatment options.

For most people, tinnitus improves once hormone levels and circulation stabilize after delivery — but if the ringing persists, there are proven ways to reduce its impact. Your care team may recommend sound therapy, tinnitus habituation, or hearing aids designed to ease tinnitus.

And remember: before trying any new therapies, supplements, or devices during pregnancy, always consult your healthcare provider.