Ringing in Your Ears After Summer? What Tinnitus Can Feel Like and When to Pay Attention

Ringing in Your Ears After Summer? What Tinnitus Can Feel Like and When to Pay Attention

Summer is often filled with movement and sound; long days out, social catch-ups, travel and busy environments. When things finally quieten down, some people notice something unexpected: a faint ringing, buzzing or humming in the ears. These sounds are commonly associated with tinnitus, a hearing-related sensation that many people experience at different points in life.¹ 

While tinnitus can feel unsettling at first, understanding why it may stand out more after a busy summer can help you feel informed, reassured and better equipped to know when it’s worth checking in.

What Can Tinnitus Feel Like?

Tinnitus is often described as hearing a sound that doesn’t come from an external source, so other people cannot hear it.² The experience can differ widely between individuals. Some people may notice:

For some, tinnitus may feel subtle and easy to tune out. For others, it can become more noticeable in quiet moments, such as when lying down at night or resting.³ If you have questions or concerns about any of these experiences, checking in with a hearing care professional can offer reassurance and helpful guidance.

• Ringing, buzzing or whistling sounds. 
• Humming or hissing noises. 
• A pulsing or rhythmic sound. 
• Sounds that are constant or that come and go. 

For some, tinnitus may feel subtle and easy to tune out. For others, it can become more noticeable in quiet moments, such as when lying down at night or resting.³ If you have questions or concerns about any of these experiences, checking in with a hearing care professional can offer reassurance and helpful guidance.

Why Might Tinnitus Feel More Noticeable After Summer?

Summer often brings changes to routine, environment and sound exposure. These shifts may make tinnitus easier to notice.

Some common summer-related factors that may make tinnitus more noticeable include:

• Busy sound environments: Social gatherings, travel and outdoor events can increase listening effort.
• Quiet contrast: After a lively day, tinnitus may feel more noticeable in quiet evenings.
• Environmental changes: Dry air can worsen tinnitus symptoms and lead to dehydration, which has also been found to affect hearing.⁴ 
• Changes in routine: Studies indicate that fatigue and stress can affect how strongly tinnitus is perceived, which may explain why some people notice it more after busy periods.⁵

When Is It Worth Paying Attention?

Tinnitus itself is common and often manageable. However, it may be helpful to check in if you notice:

• The sound is becoming more frequent or persistent.
• It’s starting to affect concentration, sleep or relaxation.⁶
• You’re also noticing changes in hearing or communication comfort.
• Tinnitus feels more noticeable in busy or social environments.

Noticing ringing or buzzing in your ears can naturally raise questions, especially if it feels new or more noticeable than before. Paying attention to when it happens and how it affects your day can be helpful first steps. 

If tinnitus has caught your attention this summer, a hearing check may help you better understand what you’re experiencing and whether any changes in hearing could be playing a role. Book an appointment at your local Connect Hearing clinic today. Our friendly team can talk through your symptoms and provide advice on what next steps you can take to help manage your symptoms. 

1. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (1 May 2023), Tinnitus, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, accessed 18 January 2026. Harvard Health Publishing (16 April 2024), When should I be concerned about ringing in my ears?, Harvard Medical School, accessed 18 January 2026.
2. Cleveland Clinic (12 April 2023), Tinnitus, www.my.clevelandclinic.org, accessed 18 January 2026. 
3. Medical News Today (5 April 2024), Why does lying down make tinnitus louder?, www.medicalnewstoday.com, accessed 18 January 2026. 
4. Otology & Neurotology Open (10 October 2023), The Association Between Dehydration and the Prognosis of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, National Library of Medicine, accessed 18 January 2026. 
5. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (3 May 2023), The association between stress, emotional states, and tinnitus: a mini-review, National Library of Medicine, accessed 18 January 2026.