Ear
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is hearing sound — such as ringing, buzzing or humming — that does not come from an outside source.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of tinnitus and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus describes noises that you hear inside your head or ears when there is no matching sound around you. People describe it as ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing or humming, and it may be constant or come and go.
- Get urgent help: Tinnitus in only one ear, or tinnitus that pulses in time with your heartbeat — get this checked. Tinnitus with sudden hearing loss — seek urgent help, as sudden hearing loss can sometimes be treated if it is seen quickly.
- Self-care: Many people find tinnitus eases when they relax and lower background stress, so it can help to use calming routines, gentle exercise and good sleep habits.
About tinnitus
Tinnitus describes noises that you hear inside your head or ears when there is no matching sound around you. People describe it as ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing or humming, and it may be constant or come and go. It is very common, often linked to changes in hearing, and many people notice it more in quiet surroundings or when they are tired or stressed. While it can be distressing, tinnitus is usually not a sign of anything dangerous, and the brain often learns to filter the sound out over time. The aim is to work out anything treatable behind it and to find ways to make the noise less intrusive.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if tinnitus comes with any of these warning signs:
- Tinnitus in only one ear, or tinnitus that pulses in time with your heartbeat — get this checked.
- Tinnitus with sudden hearing loss — seek urgent help, as sudden hearing loss can sometimes be treated if it is seen quickly.
- Tinnitus with severe dizziness, facial weakness, or that starts after a head injury — get urgent assessment.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if tinnitus is affecting your sleep, concentration or mood, if it is getting steadily worse, or if it is not settling after a few weeks. It is also worth being seen if you also notice your hearing changing, as a hearing check may help. You do not need to put up with tinnitus that is distressing you — there are sound therapies, counselling and support approaches that can make a real difference, and getting help early often makes coping easier.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of tinnitus
Tinnitus has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
Many people find tinnitus eases when they relax and lower background stress, so it can help to use calming routines, gentle exercise and good sleep habits. Quiet rooms tend to make the noise stand out, so a low background sound such as soft music, a fan or a radio can mask it and make it easier to ignore, especially at night. Protect your hearing from loud noise, take breaks from very loud environments, and cut back on things that can make you feel wound up, such as too much caffeine, alcohol or poor sleep. If the sound is bothering you, focusing your attention on an activity often helps more than trying to listen for it.
Answers
Tinnitus: frequently asked questions
Will my tinnitus ever go away?
For many people tinnitus fades or becomes much less noticeable over time as the brain learns to filter it out. Even when the sound itself stays, most people find it bothers them far less once they have support and ways to manage it.
Can stress make tinnitus worse?
Yes. Stress, tiredness and anxiety often make tinnitus seem louder or more intrusive, and the worry about the noise can feed back into more stress. Relaxation and good sleep frequently help break that cycle.
Is tinnitus a sign of going deaf?
Tinnitus is often linked to changes in hearing, but it does not mean you are going deaf. Many people with tinnitus have only mild hearing changes, and a hearing check can clarify the picture and guide any helpful treatment.
Does loud noise cause tinnitus?
Exposure to loud noise can trigger temporary or longer-lasting tinnitus and is a common cause. Protecting your ears at concerts, on machinery or with loud music helps lower the risk.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Tinnitus.
- RNID (charity for people who are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus)
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