Man experiencing tinnitus.

Melatonin and Tinnitus: How Melatonin May Help Relieve Ear Ringing

Written by: Mecene Research Team

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Published

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Time to read 9 min

Tinnitus, commonly described as ringing in the ears, affects millions of people and can significantly disrupt sleep and daily activities. Finding effective relief is a top priority for tinnitus patients, especially those experiencing chronic or severe tinnitus. Melatonin, a natural supplement produced by the pineal gland, is widely recognized for regulating the sleep-wake cycle and improving sleep quality.


Recent research explores the potential of melatonin therapy to aid in sleep disorders and suggests it may have benefits for tinnitus, though findings are not conclusive. This article explores the potential connection between melatonin and tinnitus and how it may offer hope for those seeking effective tinnitus treatments.

What Is Tinnitus and How Does It Affect Sleep?

Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in the ears, can severely disrupt sleep quality for those affected. Tinnitus patients frequently experience sleep disturbances due to the constant noise, which becomes more noticeable in quiet environments, such as when lying in bed.


This leads to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, contributing to sleep disorders that exacerbate the stress and discomfort of chronic tinnitus. Severe tinnitus suffering is often linked to prolonged periods of poor sleep, further highlighting the need for effective tinnitus treatments.

Why Poor Sleep Makes Tinnitus Worse

Poor sleep and tinnitus severity are closely connected in a harmful feedback loop. When sleep quality declines due to tinnitus, the central nervous system becomes more sensitive to the perception of sound, intensifying tinnitus distress.


Sleep disturbance increases stress and anxiety, which can amplify tinnitus intensity and make it harder to relax. For tinnitus patients, this cycle can lead to worsening symptoms and greater sleep disorders over time. Improving sleep quality is essential to break this loop and help reduce the impact of tinnitus on daily life.

Woman lying in bed staring at the ceiling.

"When sleep quality declines due to tinnitus, the central nervous system becomes more sensitive to the perception of sound.”

How Does Melatonin Work in the Body?

Melatonin, a hormone the pineal gland produces, is vital in regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Darkness triggers its release, signaling the body to relax and prepare for sleep. Melatonin therapy is often used to address sleep disorders by promoting better sleep quality and helping to establish healthy sleep patterns. Orally administered melatonin can aid individuals dealing with sleep disturbances, including those caused by chronic tinnitus, by encouraging deeper, more restorative sleep.

Melatonin's Role in the Brain

Melatonin directly impacts the brain by regulating sleep cycles and promoting relaxation. It interacts with receptors in the central nervous system to help the body wind down, reducing overactivity that can exacerbate sleep disorders.


For individuals experiencing tinnitus, melatonin's role in promoting relaxation may indirectly affect how individuals perceive tinnitus during rest. This sleep-wake cycle regulation can improve sleep quality, potentially reducing the intensity of tinnitus distress over time.

A glowing brain visualization.

Melatonin and Tinnitus: Can it Help?

Melatonin’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle may offer indirect relief for tinnitus patients by improving sleep quality and reducing the stress that can worsen tinnitus perception. For individuals struggling with sleep disorders caused by tinnitus, melatonin therapy may indirectly help manage symptoms by improving sleep quality.

How Melatonin May Reduce Ear Ringing at Night

Better sleep quality can significantly reduce the severity of tinnitus symptoms at night. Melatonin’s calming effects on the central nervous system may limit subjective tinnitus perception, helping patients relax and fall asleep more easily. By improving sleep quality, melatonin may help reduce fatigue and stress, which are often linked to tinnitus. This makes melatonin therapy may support sleep quality, which could reduce tinnitus distress at night for some individuals.

What Research Says About Melatonin for Tinnitus

Studies suggest melatonin may have potential benefits for tinnitus, particularly in improving sleep quality. A randomized clinical trial found that tinnitus patients who took melatonin experienced a statistically significant decrease in tinnitus severity and improved sleep quality compared to those in the placebo-controlled study.


Some studies indicate that melatonin may impact subjective tinnitus perception and reduce tinnitus handicap inventory scores, but results are not conclusive. These findings suggest that melatonin therapy has been explored as a potential complement to tinnitus treatments, though more research is needed.

Woman taking melatonin before sleep.

How Much Melatonin Should You Take for Tinnitus?

Determining the proper melatonin dosage for tinnitus relief is important for effectiveness and safety. Dosages typically range from low to high, depending on individual needs and tolerance. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting melatonin therapy.

Low-Dose vs. High-Dose Melatonin for Tinnitus Relief

While low and high doses of melatonin can benefit tinnitus patients, the effects may differ. The table below outlines the key differences:


Low-Dose Melatonin

High-Dose Melatonin

Typically 1-3 mg per dose

Typically 5-10 mg or higher per dose

Suitable for mild tinnitus and slight tinnitus symptoms

Recommended for severe tinnitus suffering or chronic tinnitus

Fewer risks of side effects like grogginess

Higher risk of side effects, including excessive drowsiness

Ideal for improving mild sleep disturbances

May help address more severe sleep disorders

How to Take Melatonin Safely

Taking melatonin correctly is crucial to avoid side effects and maximize benefits. Follow these tips for safe use:


  • Start with a low dose: Begin with 1-3 mg of melatonin to assess how your body responds before increasing the dosage if necessary.

  • Take it 30 minutes before bed: Allow melatonin enough time to promote relaxation and regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

  • Avoid combining with other sleep aids: Combining melatonin with drugs or supplements like those in the benzodiazepine drug family or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can lead to increased drowsiness or drug-mediated ototoxicity. Consult your doctor if you’re using other medications.

Melatonin’s Other Health Benefits for Tinnitus Patients

Melatonin offers additional health benefits beyond improving sleep, which may support tinnitus patients. Its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties are particularly valuable in reducing oxidative stress and protecting hearing health.

Melatonin’s Antioxidant Properties

Melatonin’s powerful antioxidant effects can help combat oxidative stress, often linked to tinnitus and hearing damage. Oxidative stress can damage the inner ear, leading to chronic tinnitus and drug-mediated ototoxicity.


Melatonin’s antioxidant properties may help combat oxidative stress, which has been linked to tinnitus and hearing damage. For patients exposed to chronic acoustic trauma or drug treatment, melatonin’s antioxidative effects may support ear health and potentially limit tinnitus intensity.

Melatonin’s Neuroprotective Effects on Hearing Health

Melatonin also provides neuroprotective benefits by safeguarding the brain and auditory system. It interacts with the central nervous system to reduce inflammation and improve resilience against chronic tinnitus.


Some studies suggest that melatonin’s neuroprotective effects may benefit the auditory system, though more research is needed. These neuroprotective effects could help reduce tinnitus perception and improve overall hearing health for tinnitus patients.

Tips for Better Sleep When You Have Chronic Tinnitus

Improving sleep quality is critical for those with chronic tinnitus, and taking melatonin is just one part of the solution. Lifestyle changes and creating a tinnitus-friendly environment can also help reduce sleep disturbances and tinnitus distress.

How to Create a Tinnitus-Friendly Sleep Environment

Creating the right environment can help mask tinnitus and promote relaxation at night:


  • Use a white noise machine or fan: Background noise can help drown out the ringing in your ears, making it easier to fall asleep.

  • Consider sound therapy: Gentle sounds like rain, ocean waves, or calming music can provide relief by masking tinnitus intensity.

  • Reduce distractions: Keep your bedroom dark and quiet, avoiding bright lights or screens that can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.

Visualization of white noise.

Other Natural Remedies to Complement Melatonin

Adding natural supplements or healthy habits to your routine may enhance melatonin’s effects on sleep and tinnitus relief:


  • Take magnesium: Magnesium can support inner ear immunity and may help reduce tinnitus distress.

  • Use lavender essential oil: Lavender’s calming properties can promote relaxation and reduce sleep disturbance.

  • Practice mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness can ease anxiety disorders associated with tinnitus and improve sleep quality over time.

Potential Side Effects of Melatonin as Tinnitus Treatment

While melatonin is generally considered safe, it can cause side effects in some individuals. Common side effects include dizziness, daytime grogginess, and headaches. Using melatonin therapy responsibly is crucial to avoid any negative impacts on sleep or tinnitus perception.

Can Melatonin Worsen Tinnitus?

Due to individual variability, melatonin could potentially worsen tinnitus symptoms in some cases. Factors such as dosage, underlying conditions, or drug interactions may contribute to an increase in tinnitus intensity.


For instance, combining melatonin with specific drug treatment plans, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or benzodiazepine drug family medications, might amplify side effects. Patients should consult a healthcare provider to ensure melatonin therapy is safe and effective for their needs.

What Other Treatments Are Available for Tinnitus?

Melatonin therapy is just one option among many potential treatments for tinnitus patients. Exploring alternative treatments can help address the condition from different perspectives and improve the quality of life.

Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Relief

Sound therapy is a popular approach to managing tinnitus severity. This treatment involves using external sounds, such as white noise, nature sounds, or hearing aids, to mask the ringing or buzzing associated with tinnitus.


White noise machines and smartphone apps are commonly utilized for this purpose, helping to create a calming background sound that reduces tinnitus intensity. Sound therapy can provide significant relief for individuals with moderate tinnitus or mild tinnitus, especially when paired with other treatments like melatonin.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus Management

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another effective method for managing tinnitus. This therapy focuses on helping patients change their thought patterns and emotional responses to tinnitus perception. CBT is beneficial for those dealing with anxiety disorders or depression caused by severe tinnitus suffering.


By learning techniques to reduce stress and reframe negative thoughts, patients can lower tinnitus distress and improve their overall quality of life. Clinical trials and research studies have shown CBT to be a highly effective tool for treating tinnitus, often used alongside pharmacological treatments or sound therapy.

Is Melatonin Right for Your Tinnitus?

Melatonin offers promising benefits for tinnitus patients, particularly in improving sleep quality and reducing the impact of sleep disorders on tinnitus severity. While studies suggest melatonin therapy can help limit subjective tinnitus perception and improve tinnitus distress, it is not a guaranteed cure for chronic or sensorineural tinnitus.


Alternative treatments like sound therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can also help manage symptoms. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting melatonin therapy or any tinnitus treatment for personalized advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can melatonin stop tinnitus completely?

Melatonin can help improve sleep, which may reduce the severity of tinnitus symptoms, but it is not a cure.

How quickly does melatonin work for tinnitus relief?

It may take a few days to notice improvements in sleep, and with it, a reduction in tinnitus severity.

What is the best melatonin dosage for tinnitus?

A low dose (around 1-3 mg) is often recommended to start, but consult a doctor for personalized advice.

Can I take melatonin every night for tinnitus?

Taking melatonin regularly can be safe for short-term use, but it’s best to consult a doctor if you plan on using it long-term.

Are there other natural supplements that can help with tinnitus?

Yes, supplements like magnesium, zinc, and Ginkgo biloba have been reported to help manage tinnitus symptoms.

REFERENCES

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  2. Hébert, S., & Carrier, J. (2007). Sleep complaints in elderly tinnitus patients: a controlled study. Ear and hearing, 28(5), 649–655. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0b013e31812f71cc

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  6. Wang, J., Wang, X., He, Y., Jia, L., Yang, C. S., Reiter, R. J., & Zhang, J. (2019). Antioxidant and Pro-Oxidant Activities of Melatonin in the Presence of Copper and Polyphenols In Vitro and In Vivo. Cells, 8(8), 903. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells8080903

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Medically Reviewed By

Dr. James Pendleton

Dr. James Pendleton is a primary care physician specializing in a naturopathic approach to family medicine. He has nurtured a family practice in Seattle, directed a VIP medical center in Abu Dhabi, published several books and scientific articles, and designed innovative nutritional supplements for manufacturers worldwide.