Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It is commonly described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming in the ears. Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease, and can be temporary or persistent.

Tinnitus can have many causes, including:

• Age-related hearing loss
• Exposure to loud noise
• Earwax blockage
• Ear infections or middle ear problems
• Certain medications
• Stress and anxiety
• Hearing loss or inner ear damage
• Less commonly, vascular or neurological issues
  

• Ringing, buzzing, or humming in one or both ears
• Sounds may be constant or come and go
• Can be more noticeable in quiet settings or at night
• May be associated with hearing loss or ear fullness
  

Tinnitus is not usually a sign of a serious problem, but it can be distressing and impact quality of life. Rarely, it may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs investigation.

Your GP or ENT specialist may examine your ears and conduct hearing tests (audiometry). You may be referred for further tests if the tinnitus is one-sided, pulsatile (matches your heartbeat), or associated with other unusual symptoms.

There is no single cure for tinnitus, but several strategies can help manage it:

• Reassurance  : Understanding that tinnitus is not harmful is often helpful
• Treat underlying causes  : Such as earwax or hearing loss
• Hearing aids  : For those with hearing loss
• Sound therapy  : Using background noise, white noise, or nature sounds
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)  : Helps manage emotional response
• Relaxation techniques  : To reduce stress and anxiety
  

• Avoid silence – use low-level background sounds
• Protect your ears from loud noise
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol if they worsen symptoms
• Stay active and manage stress
• Keep a regular sleep routine
  

• Tinnitus in one ear only
• Tinnitus that is pulsatile (heartbeat-like)
• Sudden hearing loss or dizziness
• Tinnitus that significantly affects sleep or daily life
  

For more advice, speak to your GP, audiologist, or ENT specialist. Useful resources:

• NHS: www.nhs.uk
• British Tinnitus Association: www.tinnitus.org.uk
• RNID: www.rnid.org.uk