Noticing a persistent ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in your ears during pregnancy? You are not alone. Tinnitus during pregnancy is more common than many people realise. Read on to discover causes, symptoms, and how Amplifon can help.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound - ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking, or whooshing - in one or both ears without any external source. It is a symptom, not a condition in itself, and during pregnancy it can feel particularly unsettling, especially when you are already navigating a host of new physical and emotional changes. Rather than arising from a single cause, pregnancy-related tinnitus is typically the result of several overlapping physiological shifts: a dramatic increase in blood volume, fluctuating hormone levels, changes in blood pressure, and the heightened demands placed on your cardiovascular system as your body works to support a growing baby. For most expectant mothers, tinnitus is temporary and manageable - but understanding what is driving it is the first step toward finding relief.
Pregnancy can directly cause tinnitus through several distinct mechanisms. Understanding the root cause can help determine the most appropriate management strategy.
Pregnancy dramatically increases cardiac output and blood volume. This extra blood pumping through the vessels near the ear can create or amplify the perception of sound, particularly a pulsing or whooshing type of tinnitus.
Oestrogen and progesterone affect fluid regulation throughout the body, including within the inner ear. Excess fluid in the cochlea can disrupt normal hearing function and contribute to tinnitus or a feeling of ear fullness similar to that experienced by people with Ménière's disease.
Iron-deficiency anaemia is common during pregnancy and can cause tinnitus by reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. If the auditory system receives less oxygen, it may respond by generating phantom sounds.
Both low blood pressure (common in the first trimester) and high blood pressure (more common in the third trimester, including conditions like pre-eclampsia) can contribute to tinnitus. Any new or sudden onset of tinnitus with headache, visual disturbances, or swelling should be assessed by a medical professional promptly.
The psychological and physical demands of pregnancy can heighten awareness of tinnitus, even if the underlying sound level has not changed. Fatigue and anxiety are known tinnitus amplifiers.
Tinnitus is more commonly reported by women than men, and recent studies suggest that pregnant women are particularly likely to experience it. The reasons are closely tied to the body's response to pregnancy itself - from hormonal shifts and increased blood volume to changes in blood pressure, which becomes especially relevant as the pregnancy progresses.
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Tinnitus can develop at any point during pregnancy, but many women first notice it in the first trimester, when the body undergoes its most rapid hormonal shifts and blood volume begins its steep rise - increasing by up to 50% over the course of the pregnancy. This places growing demands on the cardiovascular system and increases blood flow around the inner ear, which can trigger or amplify the perception of sound.
For others, symptoms emerge or intensify later on. In the third trimester, tinnitus may feel more pronounced due to the cumulative cardiovascular demands of late pregnancy, fluid retention, and associated changes in blood pressure. It is not unusual for women who had little or no experience of it earlier to notice new or worsening symptoms in the final weeks before birth.
A specific form of tinnitus worth understanding is pulsatile tinnitus, where the sound you hear is rhythmic and often in time with your heartbeat. Pulsatile tinnitus during pregnancy is more common than in the general population, precisely because of the increased cardiac output and vascular changes described above.
Some women experience pulsatile tinnitus in one ear only during pregnancy. Unilateral pulsatile tinnitus warrants closer attention. While it can be caused by increased blood flow on that side of the head, it can occasionally indicate a vascular abnormality. If you notice a pulsing sound in one ear only, particularly if it is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, seek a professional assessment.
For the vast majority of women, the answer is yes. Tinnitus that arises specifically as a result of pregnancy-related physiological changes - blood volume increase, hormonal fluctuation, anaemia - typically resolves on its own after delivery, usually within a few weeks to a few months as the body returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
However, a smaller number of women may find their tinnitus persists longer. This is more likely if:
A healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables, can help alleviate tinnitus symptoms and provide all the necessary nutrients during pregnancy.
In addition to a healthy diet, drinking at least one and a half litres of mineral water and taking minerals, vitamins and food supplements on a daily basis, can promote healthy hearing.
Sound aids, such as sound balls, sound bars or sound pillows, can be used to produce relaxing sounds that reduce or even eliminate annoying noises associated with tinnitus. These aids generate sounds that create a pleasant feeling of relaxation, such as white noise, which can help alleviate tinnitus during pregnancy.
Are you experiencing tinnitus during pregnancy or after childbirth? An Amplifon audiologist may be able to help manage your symptoms. Book an appointment at any of our 350+ clinics.
