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Have you ever been sitting in a quiet room and suddenly noticed a ringing, buzzing, or humming sound that nobody else seems to hear?
You may be experiencing tinnitus.
Tinnitus is surprisingly common, and it can sound different from person to person. For some, it's a faint ringing that comes and goes. For others, it can be a persistent buzzing or high-pitched tone.
But why does it happen?
Tinnitus isn't always a ringing sound.
People describe it as:
Ringing
Buzzing
Hissing
Whistling
Humming
Clicking
Roaring
It may occur in one ear, both ears, or seem like it's coming from inside your head.
Some people notice it only in quiet environments, while others hear it throughout the day.
There isn't always one obvious cause.
Tinnitus can be associated with several factors, including:
Tinnitus and hearing loss often occur together.
When certain sounds become harder to hear, your brain may process auditory signals differently, which can contribute to the perception of tinnitus.
Regular exposure to loud sounds can affect the delicate structures involved in hearing.
Concerts, loud workplaces, power tools, and headphones played at high volumes can all expose your ears to significant noise.
A buildup of earwax can sometimes affect hearing and contribute to ringing or other unusual sounds.
If you suspect earwax is responsible, it's better to have your ears checked rather than putting objects deep into the ear canal.
Some medications can be associated with tinnitus as a side effect.
If you notice new or worsening ringing after starting a medication, speak with your healthcare professional rather than stopping the medication on your own.
Many people notice tinnitus more when they're trying to sleep.
The reason may be simple: there's less external sound competing for your attention.
During the day, conversations, traffic, music, and other sounds can distract your brain.
At night, silence can make the ringing seem much more noticeable.
Some people find that gentle background sounds, such as a fan or soft music, make tinnitus less noticeable.
For people who have both hearing loss and tinnitus, hearing aids may help make tinnitus less noticeable.
Hearing aids can increase access to environmental sounds, giving the brain more external sound to focus on.
Some hearing aids also include specific tinnitus management features that provide customizable sounds designed to help with tinnitus.
However, hearing aids aren't a cure for tinnitus, and results can vary from person to person.
If you've started noticing persistent ringing, a hearing test can be a useful first step.
You may have hearing loss without realizing it.
A hearing test can help determine:
Whether hearing loss is present
Whether both ears are affected
Whether your hearing has changed
Whether hearing technology may be appropriate
An online hearing screening can also be a convenient place to start if you're unsure whether you should schedule a full hearing evaluation.
Most occasional ringing isn't necessarily a reason to panic.
However, sudden hearing changes, severe dizziness, significant ear pain, or sudden ringing in one ear should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare professional.
Persistent or bothersome tinnitus is also worth discussing with a qualified professional.
If loud noise may be contributing to your tinnitus, protecting your ears can help reduce further noise-related damage.
Consider hearing protection when you're around:
Concerts and festivals
Loud machinery
Sporting events
Construction equipment
Firearms
Other high-volume environments
The goal isn't to avoid sound altogether. It's to protect your hearing when sound levels become excessive.
That ringing in your ears may be easy to ignore at first, but persistent tinnitus is worth paying attention to.
It can sometimes occur alongside hearing loss, and finding out how well you're hearing can be an important first step.
Take Club Hearing's online hearing test to get a better idea of your hearing. If your results or symptoms suggest you may need further evaluation, you can take the next step with a hearing professional.
You don't have to simply live with unanswered questions about your hearing. Start by finding out what's going on.
Not necessarily. Different ear conditions can cause ringing or unusual sounds, which is why persistent symptoms should be evaluated.
Hearing loss and tinnitus commonly occur together, although tinnitus can also occur for other reasons.
Hearing aids don't cure tinnitus, but they may make it less noticeable for some people with hearing loss.
Quiet environments provide fewer external sounds to distract your attention, which can make tinnitus seem more noticeable.
Yes. A hearing test can help determine whether hearing loss may be contributing to your symptoms.