Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external source. It may sound like ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing or clicking and can affect one or both ears. For some people it is occasional and mild; for others it can interfere with sleep, concentration and quality of life.
Common symptoms
Tinnitus can be constant or come and go. The sound may be high or low pitched and may seem to come from inside the ear or head. Some people also have hearing loss, sound sensitivity, dizziness or a feeling of pressure in the ear.
What can cause tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss or exposure to loud noise. Other possible causes include earwax blockage, ear infections, certain medicines, jaw problems and conditions affecting the inner ear. Less commonly, tinnitus may be linked to blood vessel or neurological problems.
If tinnitus begins after starting or changing a medicine, do not stop prescribed treatment on your own. Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist whether the medicine could be contributing.
What you can do
- Protect your hearing from excessive noise, but avoid wearing ear protection unnecessarily in normal environments.
- Use gentle background sound, a fan, quiet music or a sound generator if silence makes tinnitus more noticeable.
- Keep regular sleep habits and address stress when it makes symptoms worse.
- Have your hearing checked if tinnitus persists or you notice hearing difficulty.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. Removing impacted earwax or treating an ear condition may help when these are responsible. Hearing aids can reduce the impact of tinnitus in people with hearing loss. Cognitive behavioral therapy and tinnitus-focused counseling can help reduce distress and improve coping. Sound therapy may also be useful for some people.
There is no single medicine that reliably cures tinnitus, and supplements marketed for tinnitus have not been shown to work consistently.
When to seek medical care
Arrange a medical assessment if tinnitus is persistent, worsening, affects sleep or daily life, occurs mainly in one ear, or is accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness.
Seek urgent medical care
Seek urgent assessment if tinnitus occurs with sudden hearing loss, new facial weakness, severe dizziness or other new neurological symptoms. Tinnitus that beats in time with your pulse should also be medically evaluated.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: 28 September 2026.
This page provides general health information and does not replace individual medical assessment or treatment.