Tinnitus, commonly called ringing in the ears, is the sensation of hearing a sound in the ears when no such sound exists. This sound, which comes from inside the head, typically is described as a ringing, but it also can take the form of an annoying hiss, whistle or buzz. It can be constant or can come and go.
Tinnitus involves the annoying sensation of hearing sound when no external sound is present. Symptoms include these types of phantom noises in your ears:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Roaring
- Clicking
- Hissing
Causes:
Most often, tinnitus is a symptom of an ear problem, such as:
- Earwax buildup
- Age-related hearing loss
- Meniere’s disease
- Inner ear damage from loud noise
- Middle ear damage caused by a sudden change in pressure (barotrauma)
- Occasionally, tinnitus is a side effect of medication. Aspirin in moderate to high doses often causes tinnitus.
Symptoms:
Tinnitus is a symptom in itself. However, people who have tinnitus also may have the following:
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Frustration
- Irritability
In addition, depending on the cause of tinnitus, there also may be:
- Hearing loss
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Pain or a plugged feeling in the ear
- Nausea
