Can Working Out Reduce Tinnitus? A Clinical Perspective

Tinnitus is often described as a problem in the ears — but clinically, it's much more connected to the nervous system than most people realize. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down the real relationship between exercise and tinnitus, including why some patients experience relief while others notice temporary spikes after intense workouts. Drawing from current research and over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Garrett explains how exercise impacts stress regulation, auditory load, and nervous system resilience — all key drivers of tinnitus distress. He also outlines why high-intensity exercise can temporarily increase symptoms, and how gradual, consistent activity leads to more stable improvements over time. This episode provides a practical, evidence-based framework for using exercise as part of a broader tinnitus management plan. While exercise is not a cure, it can meaningfully reduce how disruptive tinnitus feels in daily life when applied correctly. Dr. Garrett specializes in complex tinnitus and hearing loss cases using a medical-model approach, including REM-verified hearing aid fittings and neuroscience-based interventions. You can learn more here: [[ADD BLOG URL HERE]] If you'd like to explore more resources about hearing loss and tinnitus, visit our online learning center. And if you're in Northern Utah and want support from our team, you can schedule an appointment anytime.