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Naproxen and Tinnitus

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.

A man recently wrote:

I’ve been having sporadic bouts of tinnitus lasting roughly a day at a time. I’ve now had two such episodes. I was curious if there is any information supporting that NSAIDS like Naproxen can cause permanent tinnitus or hearing loss. Also, is this dose related?

Yes, it is true that Naproxen can cause both hearing loss and tinnitus. In fact, the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) shows that up to 9% of the people taking Naproxen get tinnitus and up to 3% result in hearing loss. (Personally, I think these figures are low!)

Hearing loss from taking Naproxen is sometimes temporary and sometimes permanent. I think this is also the case with tinnitus–although I don’t have any hard figures to prove it.

Also, be aware that tinnitus is often dose related. For example, if you cut the dose in half, you may find that your tinnitus goes away. Or saying it another way, if you increase your dose after having been on Naproxen for some months, you may suddenly find you have tinnitus.

This man continues:

I’m just looking for peace of mind. I’m extremely prone to anxiety and stress. The bout with tinnitus that I’m dealing with now struck me right after taking 2 Naproxen. I can only deduce that it has been brought on by the Naproxen because I have, to the best of my knowledge, very few triggers other then that which could bring about the persistant tinnitus. Fortunately, up to now, I have not had this for any period longer than 10 hours.

Be aware that just anxiety and/or stress can cause tinnitus and can certainly make existing tinnitus worse–so you want to learn to relax and not worry so much. As they used to say “hang loose.”

I tend to agree that very likely your tinnitus is being brought on by taking the Naproxen. You might try reducing the dose to 1 Naproxen at a time and see if you still get tinnitus. If so, the sooner you dump the Naproxen, the less likely your tinnitus will become permanent.

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Loop Systems

Loop your home or meeting room. Discover how you can hear wonderfully clear sound again when listening to the TV/radio, etc, or when listening to a speaker at a meeting.

Loop systems are one of the best-kept secrets in town. To learn more about Loop Systems and what they can do for you, click here.

Take Control of Your Tinnitus—Here’s How

If your ears ring, buzz, chirp, hiss, click or roar, you know just how annoying tinnitus can be. You do not have to put up with this racket for the rest of your life. This book teaches you many things you can do to help bring your tinnitus under your control so it no longer bothers you.

Learn More | Add to Cart—Printed | Add to Cart—eBook

Sounds Now Too Loud for You?

Hypersensitive to Sound front coverIf some (or all) normal sounds seem so loud they “blow the top of your head off”, or make you wince or jump, or cause you headaches or ear pain, or affect your balance, or result in fear or annoyance of sounds so you feel you have to avoid these sounds, this book is for you!

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Hearing Phantom Sounds?

When hard of hearing people begin hearing phantom voices or music, they immediately worry they are going crazy. It never crosses their minds that they are sane and are just experiencing Musical Ear syndrome.

To learn more about the strange phantom sounds of Musical Ear syndrome and what you can do about them, click here to read a comprehensive article about Musical Ear Syndrome.

Or get the book—Learn More | Add to Cart—Printed | Add to Cart—eBook

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Center for Hearing Loss Help

Neil G. Bauman, Ph.D.

1013 Ridgeway Drive, Lynden,
WA 98264-1057 USA

Email: neil@hearinglosshelp.com

Phone: 360-778-1266 (M-F 9:00 AM-5:00 PM PST)

© 2025 Center for Hearing Loss Help – Help for your hearing loss, tinnitus and other ear conditions

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life [which also includes perfect hearing] through Jesus Christ our Lord." [Romans 6:23]

"But know this, in the last days perilous times will come" [2 Timothy 3:1]. "For there will be famines, pestilences, and [severe] earthquakes in various places" [Matthew 24:7], "distress of nations, the sea and the waves roaring"—tsunamis, hurricanes—Luke 21:25, but this is good news if you have put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, for "when these things begin to happen, lift up your heads [and rejoice] because your redemption draws near" [Luke 21:28].