Ear Ringing and Circulation: What the Research Shows

What Causes Ringing in the Ears

Tinnitus is the perception of sound with no outside source. It is common: most adults notice it at some point, and for many it becomes a regular presence.

Common causes include noise exposure, age-related hearing changes, earwax blockage, certain medications, and jaw or neck tension. Tinnitus is usually a symptom of an underlying change in the hearing system, not a disease by itself.

Does Poor Circulation Cause It?

Circulation to the inner ear is one of the oldest theories behind tinnitus. Ginkgo Biloba, an herbal extract with known effects on blood flow, is marketed on this basis in many hearing-support products, including ones we cover on this site.

The research does not support this as a reliable fix. A 2022 Cochrane systematic review of Ginkgo Biloba for tinnitus found the evidence too uncertain to draw a conclusion, with results no better than placebo across the trials it examined. Clinical guideline groups in Europe and the United States both recommend against using Ginkgo Biloba specifically for tinnitus treatment.

Newer thinking points to a different mechanism: tinnitus loudness is now understood to be driven more by how the brain processes auditory signals than by blood flow at the ear itself. That does not mean circulation and antioxidant support are worthless for general ear health — it means the specific claim of “better circulation cures ringing” is not backed by the trial data.

What Actually Has Support

Sound therapy and white noise. Masking or blending the ringing with background sound is one of the more consistently supported approaches for reducing how intrusive tinnitus feels.

Protecting your hearing going forward. Noise exposure is a leading cause of tinnitus, and further exposure can make it worse. Ear protection in loud environments is a genuinely evidence-backed step.

Addressing the underlying cause. Earwax buildup, a medication side effect, or jaw tension (TMJ) can all cause tinnitus and are treatable once identified.

Cognitive behavioral therapy. For tinnitus that causes real distress, CBT has real trial support for reducing how much it affects daily life, even when the sound itself does not go away.