What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. A common problem, tinnitus affects about 15 to 20 percent of people. Tinnitus isn’t a condition itself — it’s a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder.
Although bothersome, tinnitus usually isn’t a sign of something serious. Although it can worsen with age, for many people, tinnitus can improve with treatment. Treating an identified underlying cause sometimes helps. Other treatments reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable.
What are the symptoms?
Tinnitus involves the sensation of hearing sound when no external sound is present. Tinnitus symptoms may include these types of phantom noises in your ears:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Roaring
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Humming
The phantom noise may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears. In some cases, the sound can be so loud it can
interfere with your ability to concentrate or hear external sound. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or it may come and go.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If it is bothering you.
If you have tinnitus that bothers you, see your doctor.
If you’ve had an upper respiratory infection.
See a doctor if you develop tinnitus after an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, and your tinnitus doesn’t improve within a week.
If you have suddenly occurring tinnitus.
See a doctor as soon as possible if you have tinnitus that occurs suddenly or without an apparent cause.
If it’s making you dizzy.
See a doctor as soon as possible if you have hearing loss or dizziness with the tinnitus.