What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It can sound like ringing, hissing, buzzing, whooshing, clicking, or roaring. It may be constant or intermittent, in one ear or both, quiet or overwhelming. It is not a disease — it is a symptom, and one of the most common conditions affecting adults worldwide.
What does your tinnitus sound like?
Take the free My Tinnitus Profile sound test and get a personalised profile and recommendations in about a minute.
Take the test →How Common Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus affects approximately 15% of adults worldwide — around 750 million people. In the United States alone, an estimated 25 million adults experience tinnitus. It becomes more common with age, affecting roughly one in three adults over 65. For most people it is a background annoyance. For some — around 2% of the population — it is severely debilitating.
Types of Tinnitus
The most common type. Only you can hear the sound. It is usually caused by problems in the auditory system — the ear, the auditory nerve, or the brain's sound processing areas.
Rare. A doctor can actually hear the sound with a stethoscope. It is usually caused by a physical source such as turbulent blood flow or muscle contractions near the ear. It is often treatable.
A rhythmic sound that matches your heartbeat. A subtype of objective tinnitus that warrants prompt medical evaluation.
Common Causes
Tinnitus has many possible causes. The most common include:
- Noise-induced hearing loss from prolonged loud sound exposure
- Age-related hearing loss
- Ear infections or blockages
- Certain medications (aspirin, some antibiotics, diuretics)
- Head or neck injuries
- Jaw disorders (TMJ)
- High blood pressure or cardiovascular conditions
- Stress and anxiety
In many cases no specific cause is identified. This does not mean the tinnitus is not real — it means the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood.
How Tinnitus Affects Daily Life
For some people tinnitus is barely noticeable. For others it significantly affects sleep, concentration, emotional wellbeing, and the ability to follow conversations. The impact varies enormously from person to person and can change over time.
Understanding the nature of your tinnitus — its sound, frequency, and impact — is the first step toward managing it effectively. That is exactly what My Tinnitus Profile is designed to help with.
Can Tinnitus Be Cured?
There is currently no universal cure for tinnitus. However many people find effective ways to manage it — sound therapy, hearing aids, cognitive behavioural therapy, and lifestyle changes can all reduce its impact. Research into tinnitus treatments is active and ongoing.
What does your tinnitus sound like?
Take the free My Tinnitus Profile sound test and get a personalised profile and recommendations in about a minute.
Take the test →Sources
This page is based on clinical guidance from the following organisations:
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National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus -
American Tinnitus Association (ATA)
https://www.ata.org -
World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
This page is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have concerns about your tinnitus.