June 1st marks the official start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which will run until the end of November. As Floridians, we know that preparing for storms like these is critical, and as hearing health professionals, we want to start a discussion about how this extreme weather can impact tinnitus.
What Is Tinnitus?
If you’ve ever heard a phantom ringing, buzzing or other sound in your ear that doesn’t come from any external source, that is tinnitus. Tinnitus is linked to a number of causes, from loud noise exposure to aging to circulatory issues to stress. Many people with existing tinnitus will find that it flares up in response to certain conditions.
Storm Season’s Impact on Ears and Tinnitus
In a fascinating phenomenon, many people with tinnitus report that the ringing in their ears becomes more noticeable (e.g., louder, more intense, higher-pitched) right before a storm rolls in. This is mostly due to the rapid drop in barometric pressure that precedes a storm or hurricane.
Our ears are incredibly sensitive to pressure and pressure changes. The middle ear is an air-filled pocket through which sound waves are conducted. If the pressure outside your head is different than the pressure in the middle ear pocket, it can put immense stress on the auditory system, as well as distort sound waves. In addition to tinnitus spikes, you may notice other symptoms such as a feeling of fullness in the ear, muffled hearing, ear popping and ear pain.
The other two ways a storm can impact tinnitus are temperature swings and humidity. Temperature fluctuations can affect blood flow, blood pressure and swelling in ear tissues, and as mentioned above, circulatory issues are linked to tinnitus. And humidity—a constant factor here in Tampa—can lead to fluid buildup in the ear, which can affect hearing and make tinnitus more noticeable.
Managing Tinnitus in Hurricane Season
As summer storms begin to make themselves known, you don’t want to worry about tinnitus on top of everything else. Discuss tinnitus management strategies with your local audiologists at Kampsen Hearing to find relief from the ringing in your ears.