Tinnitus is the name of a condition in which people hear a sound that comes from an internal source, rather than an external one. It’s often described as a ringing sound, but actually it can be heard as buzzing, whistling, roaring, rumbling, whining, clicking or other variations too. It can be quite common for people to experience more than one tinnitus sound, and the volume can be soft or loud, high-pitched or low-pitched.
Tinnitus is not a disease or a psychological illness — it can result from a range of different events and conditions, like exposure to loud noise. It’s also associated with getting older, having head or ear surgery, having hearing loss or experiencing emotional trauma. The majority of people living with tinnitus are not overly troubled by it. But for some it can have a serious impact on their quality of life, especially right after it starts.
If you are worried about tinnitus, the first thing you should do is speak to your GP; they can check for any blockages in the ear canal and, if needed, refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist for a check on possible causes. After you get a tinnitus diagnosis, contact our team of tinnitus advisors for practical help and emotional support. We know that each person’s experience of tinnitus is unique, and we are here to listen carefully and answer your questions.
Find out more in our Tinnitus brochure here.