Tinnitus is the name for hearing sounds that come from inside your body rather than an outside source.
It’s not usually a sign of anything serious and may get better by itself.
Tinnitus is often called ‘ringing in the ears’ but it’s not just ringing. You might hear:
You may also notice hearing loss or that you’re more sensitive to everyday sounds.
For some people, tinnitus may come and go. But sometimes it can impact your daily life and be very distressing. It can affect concentration and cause difficulty sleeping (insomnia) and depression.
Tinnitus will sometimes get better over time, either by disappearing or by the body getting used to it.
Your doctor can examine your ears to see if the problem might be caused by a condition they could easily treat, such as an ear infection or earwax build-up. They can also check if you have any hearing loss.
If needed, your GP can refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatment.
Tinnitus can develop slowly over time or happen suddenly.
It’s not known exactly why it happens but it’s often linked to:
Most people have tinnitus for a short time after being exposed to loud noises, such as after a music concert.
Around 1 in 10 people have persistent tinnitus. Around 1 in 100 having severe tinnitus that affects their daily life.
Tinnitus can affect people of all ages, including children. It’s more common in people aged over 65.
There’s currently no treatment for tinnitus that works for everyone.
If your tinnitus is caused by an underlying condition, then treating that condition may help your tinnitus.
If a cause can’t be found, treatment will focus on helping you manage the condition on a daily basis. This may involve:
Last updated:
05 March 2024