Tinnitus causes: Could my antidepressant be the culprit?

Can Zoloft and other antidepressants cause ringing in the ears? If so, what can I do about it?

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Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Daniel Hall-Flavin, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can be caused by many medications, including antidepressants such as Zoloft. If your antidepressant causes tinnitus, switching to another medication may alleviate the problem.

Because there are many potential tinnitus causes — including aging, allergies, aspirin, certain infections, and certain autoimmune, neurological and psychiatric disorders — talk to your doctor if you experience ringing in your ears. He or she can help determine whether your antidepressant or another factor is causing your tinnitus.

In addition to managing your medications, other tinnitus treatments may include hearing aids, hearing aid-like devices that deliver low-level sounds to reduce the perception of ringing (masking), cognitive therapy, biofeedback, tinnitus retraining therapy, and treating conditions that are causing your tinnitus.