Tinnitus is the name for hearing a noise — such as ringing, buzzing, humming, or hissing — that doesn't come from any outside source. It is very common, it is usually not a sign of anything serious, and for many people it becomes more manageable over time.

This page is general information to help you understand tinnitus. It is not a diagnosis. Some forms of tinnitus do need checking, so if yours is new, one-sided, or beats in time with your pulse, see a doctor — more on that below.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external sound present. People describe it differently — ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming, clicking, or roaring — and it may be in one ear, both ears, or feel like it's "inside the head".

It is widespread. Estimates suggest around 1 in 10 people experience tinnitus fairly regularly, and a smaller proportion find it persistent or troublesome. It is not usually dangerous in itself, and tinnitus often settles down — becoming quieter, less frequent, or simply easier to ignore — as the brain adjusts to it.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus is most often linked to some degree of hearing loss, including the gradual loss that comes with age or with exposure to loud noise. The brain seems to "fill in" missing sound, which is experienced as tinnitus.

Other things it can be linked to include:

Exposure to loud noise, such as concerts, machinery, or headphones at high volume
A build-up of earwax or an ear infection
Ménière's disease and some other inner-ear conditions
Certain medicines, including some painkillers, antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs
General health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes
Stress, anxiety, and depression, which don't cause tinnitus but can make it feel louder and more intrusive

Often no single cause is found, and that is normal. The aim then shifts from "curing" it to managing it well.

What is pulsatile tinnitus, and how is it different?

Pulsatile tinnitus is a rhythmic whooshing or thumping that beats in time with your heartbeat — and it matters because it has a different set of causes from ordinary tinnitus. Unlike the steady ringing or buzzing most people mean by tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus is usually linked to blood flow near the ear.

Because it can reflect changes in blood vessels — for example turbulent flow, raised blood pressure, anaemia, or, less commonly, an abnormality in a vessel near the ear — pulsatile tinnitus should always be assessed by a doctor. The same goes for tinnitus that is only in one ear. These features don't mean something serious is definitely wrong, but they are the patterns clinicians want to look into rather than wait out.

Is there a cure for tinnitus? What about "how I cured my tinnitus" stories?

Be cautious here. There is no proven, universal cure for tinnitus, despite the many anecdotal "this cured mine" claims online and the supplements and gadgets sold on the back of them. Where tinnitus does resolve, it is often because an underlying cause — such as earwax or a medication — was treated, or because the brain gradually tuned the sound out over time.

That doesn't mean nothing helps. It means the honest goal for most people is to reduce how much tinnitus bothers them, rather than to silence it completely. The good news is that several approaches genuinely do that.

What helps with tinnitus?

The most effective approaches focus on reducing the impact of tinnitus and helping your brain pay less attention to it. The main ones are:

Sound therapy. Using gentle background sound — soft music, a fan, nature sounds, or a dedicated sound generator — makes the tinnitus less noticeable. Total silence often makes it stand out more, so many people find quiet background sound helpful, especially at night.
Hearing aids. If you have hearing loss alongside tinnitus, hearing aids can help a great deal. By restoring the missing sound, they reduce the brain's need to "fill in", which often makes the tinnitus less prominent.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This talking therapy doesn't change the sound, but it changes your reaction to it — easing the anxiety, frustration, and sleep disruption that make tinnitus feel worse. It is one of the best-evidenced approaches and is often offered early.
Treating the cause where there is one. Removing a wax build-up, treating an ear infection, or reviewing a medication can sometimes reduce or resolve the noise.
Looking after sleep, stress, and general health, since these strongly influence how loud and intrusive tinnitus feels.

A safety note. Be wary of products promising to "cure" tinnitus — no supplement or device is proven to do this, and protecting your hearing from loud noise is far more valuable than any quick fix. If you also have nasal or ENT symptoms, such as a persistently blocked nose from a deviated septum, an ENT assessment can look at your ear, nose, and throat health together.

When should I see a doctor?

See a GP if you have tinnitus regularly or constantly, or if it is affecting your sleep, concentration, or mood — there is help available, and you don't have to put up with it.

Get medical advice more urgently if your tinnitus:

Beats in time with your pulse (pulsatile tinnitus)
Is only in one ear, or is much worse in one ear
Came on suddenly, or appeared after a head injury
Comes with hearing loss, dizziness or vertigo, or weakness in the face

Sudden hearing loss, in particular, can need prompt treatment, so don't wait it out. This page is background information and not a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your individual situation.