Telinga berdesing (ringing in the ears) is called tinnitus: hearing sounds such as ringing, buzzing or humming that do not come from outside. It is not usually a sign of anything serious and may get better by itself. It is often linked to hearing loss, earwax build-up, Meniere's disease, conditions such as diabetes or thyroid problems, stress and anxiety, or some medicines. Avoiding total silence, relaxing, sleeping well and avoiding loud noise can help, and talking therapies such as CBT can reduce its impact. See a doctor if tinnitus is constant, getting worse or affecting your sleep, and get urgent help if it beats in time with your pulse or comes with sudden hearing loss, face weakness or vertigo.
What is telinga berdesing (tinnitus)?
According to the NHS, tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that do not come from an outside source. It can sound like:
- ringing (berdesing), buzzing or humming (berdengung);
- whooshing, hissing or throbbing;
- music or singing.
You may hear these sounds in one or both ears (telinga kiri atau kanan berdesing), or in your head. They may come and go, or you may hear them all the time.
Kenapa telinga berdesing? Common causes
It is not always clear what causes tinnitus, but according to the NHS it is often linked to:
- some form of hearing loss, including from ageing or years of loud noise;
- earwax build-up or an ear infection;
- Meniere's disease, an inner ear condition that also causes vertigo; see our guide to vertigo;
- conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders or multiple sclerosis; see our guides to kencing manis and tiroid;
- anxiety or depression;
- some medicines, including some chemotherapy medicines, antibiotics, NSAID painkillers and aspirin.
Ringing in the ears is also listed by the NHS as one of the less common signs of iron deficiency anaemia; see our guide to kurang darah.
Earwax: a common, treatable cause
Earwax normally falls out on its own, but if it builds up it can cause tinnitus, a blocked feeling, hearing loss, earache or dizziness. According to the NHS, you can try to remove it yourself:
- Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
- Put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil in your ear (do not use almond oil if you are allergic to almonds).
- Stay lying on your side for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Repeat 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days.
Over about 2 weeks, lumps of earwax should fall out and symptoms should improve. A pharmacist can also suggest drops to dissolve earwax. Do not use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum.
Do not use your fingers or objects such as cotton buds to korek telinga (clean inside your ear), as this pushes the wax further in and makes it worse. There is no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums remove earwax. See a nurse or doctor if symptoms have not cleared after 5 days or your ear is badly blocked.
How can you cope with tinnitus?
The NHS suggests these ways to cope with tinnitus:
Do:
- try to relax; deep breathing or yoga may help;
- find ways to improve your sleep, such as a regular bedtime routine and cutting down on caffeine; see our guide to susah tidur;
- avoid things that can make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noise;
- join a support group, as talking to others with tinnitus may help.
Don't:
- sit in total silence; listening to soft music or sounds (sound therapy) can distract you from the tinnitus;
- focus on it, as this can make it worse; hobbies and activities can take your mind off it.
To protect your hearing, wear ear protection around loud noise.
What treatments help tinnitus?
A doctor will first look for a treatable cause, such as an ear infection or earwax, and may check your hearing. If you have hearing loss, hearing aids may be recommended.
If the cause is unknown or cannot be treated, the NHS says you may be referred for a talking therapy:
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to change how you think about tinnitus and reduce anxiety;
- tinnitus counselling, to learn about tinnitus and ways to cope;
- tinnitus retraining therapy, which uses sound therapy to help the brain tune out the noise; it is unclear whether it works for everyone.
A 2020 Cochrane review found that CBT may reduce the negative impact of tinnitus on quality of life, with few side effects, although there was little evidence about effects beyond 6 months.
Do supplements help tinnitus?
Many products are sold for "telinga berdesing", but there is little evidence for them. A 2013 Cochrane review concluded that the limited evidence does not show that ginkgo biloba is effective for tinnitus. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement for tinnitus, especially if you take other medicines, and do not use supplements instead of getting your ears checked.
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor, according to the NHS, if:
- you have tinnitus regularly or constantly;
- your tinnitus is getting worse;
- it is bothering you, for example affecting your sleep or concentration, or making you feel anxious or depressed.
Ask for an urgent appointment if your tinnitus beats in time with your pulse, or if you have sudden hearing loss in one or both ears.
Go to the emergency department if you have tinnitus after a head injury, or tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, weakness in the muscles of your face, or a spinning sensation (vertigo).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why are my ears ringing (kenapa telinga berdesing)?
Ringing in the ears is called tinnitus: hearing noises that do not come from outside. It is often linked to some form of hearing loss, earwax build-up, Meniere's disease, conditions such as diabetes or thyroid problems, anxiety or depression, or some medicines such as NSAIDs and aspirin. It is not usually a sign of anything serious.
What is telinga berdesing in English?
Telinga berdesing or telinga berdengung means ringing in the ears, called tinnitus in English. Tinnitus can also sound like buzzing, humming, hissing, whooshing or throbbing, and can be heard in one or both ears, or in the head.
Is ringing in one ear (telinga kiri atau kanan berdesing) serious?
Tinnitus can affect one or both ears and is usually not serious. See a doctor if it is regular, constant, getting worse or bothering you. Ask for an urgent appointment if the sound beats in time with your pulse, and get emergency help if tinnitus comes with sudden hearing loss, weakness in the face, a spinning sensation, or follows a head injury.
Can earwax cause ringing in the ears?
Yes. Earwax build-up can cause tinnitus, a blocked feeling, hearing loss and dizziness. Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it is blocking your ear, 2 to 3 drops of olive oil 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days may help. Do not use cotton buds or your fingers, as this pushes wax further in.
How can I stop ringing in my ears?
There is often no quick cure, but tinnitus may get better by itself. Avoid total silence by playing soft music or sounds, try to relax, improve your sleep routine, cut down on caffeine, and avoid loud noise and stress. If the cause is unknown, a doctor may refer you for therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Do supplements like ginkgo help tinnitus?
There is no good evidence that they do. A Cochrane review found that the limited evidence does not show that ginkgo biloba is effective for tinnitus. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement, especially if you take other medicines.
When should I see a doctor about tinnitus?
See a doctor if you have tinnitus regularly or constantly, if it is getting worse, or if it affects your sleep or concentration or makes you anxious or low. The doctor will check your ears for treatable causes such as an infection or earwax, and may check your hearing.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor, audiologist or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Tinnitus — NHS
- Earwax build-up — NHS
- Hearing loss — NHS
- Fuller T, Cima R, Langguth B, et al. Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;1(1):CD012614.
- Hilton MP, Zimmermann EF, Hunt WT. Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(3):CD003852.
