In many cases stress is an amplifying factor rather than a direct cause of tinnitus.

Tinnitus generally begins from a fine change in the auditory system, but in a state of tension the brain pays more attention to that signal. That is why on days when you are tired or under heavy stress you feel the tinnitus has grown.

A vicious circle arises here. The tinnitus bothers you and you become anxious; being anxious, you attend to the tinnitus more; and then it sounds louder. The quiet time before falling asleep is particularly so.

Korean medicine treatment approaches it by regulating sleep and the state of tension so as to break this loop.

In daily life, avoiding complete silence helps. Playing low-volume white noise while sleeping makes the tinnitus less prominent.