1. What is tinnitus? Expand Tinnitus is the perception of noises in the head and/or ear which have no external source. It derives from the latin word for ringing and those living with the condition may have to endure a ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling or other noise. The sensation can be constant or intermittent and it can vary in volume. It is not a disease or illness; it is a symptom generated within the auditory system and usually caused by an underlying condition. The noise may be in one or both ears, or it may feel like it is in the head. It is difficult to pinpoint its exact location. It may be low, medium or high pitched and can be heard as a single noise or as multiple components. Occasionally people have tinnitus that can seem like a familiar tune or song. This is known as musical tinnitus or musical hallucination. Some people have tinnitus which has a beat in time with their heartbeat. This is called pulsatile tinnitus. For more information, go to our page All about tinnitus.
2. What does tinnitus sound like? Expand Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears, but each individual's experience can differ. The video below will give you an insight into what tinnitus sounds like for those who live with it, having electronically recreated the noises that they hear in their head. You might hear different types of sound, for example ringing, buzzing, whooshing or humming. The noise may be low, medium or high‑pitched or the sound could vary between these. You may experience just one noise, or several. The sound may be constant or it may come and go intermittently. Occasionally people have tinnitus that can seem like a familiar tune or song. This is known as musical halucination or musical tinnitus. Some people have tinnitus which has a beat in time with their heartbeat. This is called pulsatile tinnitus.
3. Who gets tinnitus? Expand Tinnitus is very common and is reported in all age groups, even young children. About 30% of people will experience tinnitus at some point in their lives, but the number of people who live with persistent tinnitus is approximately 13% of UK adults - so more than 1 in 8. Of those people who have persistent tinnitus, around 1 in 10 will find it has a significant impact on their quality of life. Tinnitus is more common in people who have hearing loss (usually caused by ageing, or exposure to loud noise) or other ear problems, but it can also be found in people with normal hearing. There are also a range of ailments that may cause tinnitus. Tinnitus Risk Factors There are a number of lifestyle choices or occupations which can carry a heightened risk of developing tinnitus. If you are exposed to loud noises in your day to day life you should wear ear protection. Below are a few groups of people who are at risk of developing tinnitus without the correct ear protection, but you can find out more on our How Loud Is Loud article. People exposed to music A constant exposure to loud music can leave you at risk of tinnitus. This includes people who play in bands, DJs and concert goers. You should always protect your ears in this environment. If you work somewhere where you are exposed to loud music your employers must supply you with ear protection under health and safety legislation. People working with loud machinery If you work with loud machinery daily then you could be leaving yourself open to developing tinnitus. You may get used to working with loud noises, but the damage is still being done and it can manifest itself before appearing in the form of tinnitus at any stage in life. Always wear ear protection, whether you’re dealing with a jackhammer or a lawnmower. People exposed to loud bangs If you’re exposed to an environment of loud bangs, whether at work or leisure, you should always wear ear protection. This includes soldiers who handle and fire weapons. People who listen to their headphones If you listen to music on your headphones then you could be placing yourself at risk of developing tinnitus. The best guidance on this is the 60/60 rule - you should never listen to your music above 60% volume and you should always have a rest after 60 minutes.
4. What causes tinnitus? Expand It’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of tinnitus, but it’s generally agreed that it results from some type of change, either mental or physical, but not necessarily related to the ear. Indeed, tinnitus is not a disease or illness in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. Below we’ve listed some of the potential causes of tinnitus: Hearing loss The delicate hair cells in the inner ear may reduce in number due to ‘wear and tear’ as people age. This gradual change can cause hearing loss, which makes tinnitus more noticeable as it is not masked by external sound. Exposure to loud noise Hair cells can be damaged by exposure to loud noise, which could lead to tinnitus. This can occur gradually as a result of exposure to noises over prolonged periods or may be caused by exposure to louder noises over a shorter period of time. If you are exposed to loud noises, you should always wear ear protection. Find out more about the subject on our How Loud Is Loud article and see if your job or lifestyle could be putting your ears at risk, Stress and Anxiety It is not always clear whether stress causes the onset of tinnitus. However, tinnitus may be more noticeable if you are anxious or stressed. Ear Infections Middle ear infections can cause hearing loss and tinnitus. Symptoms will normally be temporary, but it is important to have the underlying infection treated by a GP. Ear Wax Build-up Depending on the individual, ear wax can build-up over time and cause tinnitus. Find out how to deal with it on our ear wax information page. Ménière's Disease A rare disorder affecting the inner ear, Ménière's disease can cause tinnitus, hearing loss and pressure in the inner ear, but it is usually accompanied by vertigo. Find out more from the Ménière's Society. Glue Ear Glue ear is a condition mainly affecting children also known as otitis media with effusion. It causes a buildup of fluid in the inner ear that usually heals over time without treatment. Find out more at NHS Choices. Otosclerosis Otosclerosis is the most common cause of progressive deafness in young adults. Find out more in our otosclerosis factsheet. Perforated Eardrum A perforated eardrum can be caused by infections, changes in air pressure (such as when flying or scuba diving) or exposure to a loud noise. Its often accompanied by extreme pain in the ear. Other causes Less commonly, tinnitus may develop as a result of a head injury, changes in blood flow (eg anaemia, high blood pressure), reactions to certain medications, acoustic neuroma (a rare non-cancerous growth that affects the hearing nerve), diabetes, and thyroid disorders. For more information, go to our page All about tinnitus.
5. Why have I got tinnitus - I have good hearing! Expand Although Tinnitus is more common in people who have hearing loss, it can also be apparent in people with normal hearing. Many researchers and scientists continue to research this subject as they believe it may hold the key to explaining tinnitus as a whole. For more information, go to our page All about tinnitus.
6. What should I do? Expand If you’re hearing ringing or buzzing in your ears continually or regularly for a prolonged period of time you should consult your GP. They will usually check your ears for any common potential causes such as infection or earwax build-up, before referring you to a specialist if the initial investigations bear no results. Onward referral will usually be to a tinnitus clinic within a hospital ENT or Audiology Department. There, you may be seen by a medically qualified doctor (Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon or Audiovestibular Physician) or by an audiologist or hearing therapist (who will be scientifically qualified) During the clinic appointment you will be asked about your tinnitus and have a full history taken. It is usual to have an ear examination with an otoscope and a hearing test. You may be given a tinnitus assessment questionnaire. These, together with open ended questions, help to assess the impact of the tinnitus and any other associated symptoms such as hearing loss, hyperacusis and dizziness. A management plan for treatment will then be devised with you, and ongoing support will probably be provided by an audiologist or hearing therapist. We also have a range of events and support groups which will allow you to gain knowledge and advice from other people living with the condition. You may also wish to check out our free tinnitus management e-learning programme, Take on Tinnitus. Tinnitus_services_Ver_1.7.pdf Tinnitus_services_Ver_1.6_LARGE_PRINT.pdf
7. Is there a cure for tinnitus? Expand Although there is currently no cure for tinnitus, there are several strategies that can be very helpful in learning to manage the condition. The British Tinnitus Association are on hand to support you if you’re living with tinnitus and help you manage the condition. Just some of the things that can help you manage your tinnitus include: - Information You will probably feel better when you find out more about the condition, that it is very common, and that you are not alone. Why not start with reading our page All about tinnitus. Counselling Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be helpful, either as a standalone therapy or combined with sound therapy. Correcting any hearing loss If your tinnitus is accompanied by any hearing loss, then correcting this loss with hearing aids is often very helpful. Consult your GP who will refer you to an ear specialist, here you’ll be able to receive advice on how a hearing aid will help. Sound therapy If the noises seem louder at quiet times, particularly during the night, it may help to have some environmental or natural sound from a CD, a sound generator, or even a fan or ticking clock in the background. Some people use in-ear sound generators. For more information on using sound to manage tinnitus, read our information sheet on sound therapy. Relaxation Learning to relax is probably one of the most useful things you can do to help yourself. Those who practice relaxation techniques say they reduce the loud of their tinnitus and help them to become indifferent to it. You might also want to check out our tinnitus management e-learning programme, Take on Tinnitus.
8. I'm hearing noises in my head not my ears! Expand Although tinnitus is often thought to be an ear problem, it’s generated further up in the auditory system by the brain itself. The perception of tinnitus varies from person to person - the noise may be heard in one ear, in both ears or in the middle of the head or it may be difficult to pinpoint its exact location – or it may even ‘move’ around. All of this is perfectly normal for tinnitus. For more information, go to our page All about tinnitus.
9. Why am I hearing music when nothing is playing? Expand Occasionally people have tinnitus that has a musical quality, and can seem like a familiar tune or song. This generally occurs in older people who have a hearing loss and a strong musical interest. This type of tinnitus is known as musical tinnitus or musical hallucination. For more information, go to our page Musical hallucination. Download your leaflet here: Musical_hallucination_Ver_3.1.pdf Musical_hallucination_Ver_3.1_LARGE_PRINT.pdf