Tinnitus sounds can vary in pitch from a low roar to a loud squeal, and you may hear them in one or both ears. In some cases, the sound may be so loud that it interferes with your ability to concentrate or hear external sounds. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or it may come and go. Tinnitus (pronounced TIH-nite-us or Tin-ih-tus) is a sound in the head with no external source.
For many, it's a buzz, while for others it's a whistle, a buzz, a chirp, a whistle, a hum, a roar, or even a screech. The sound may appear to be coming from one ear or both, from inside the head, or from a distance. It can be constant or intermittent, constant or pulsating. Individual studies have reported improvements in up to 80% of patients with acute tinnitus.
Atonal tinnitus often responds well to a variety of specific treatment options, such as cognitive therapy, desensitization, and Lenire options. Continuous, constant, acute tinnitus (the most common type) usually indicates a problem with the hearing system and requires hearing testing by an audiologist. Tinnitus can occur anywhere in the auditory pathway, from the outer ear, through the middle ear and inner ear to the auditory cortex of the brain, where it is thought to be encoded (in a sense, printed). The Tinnitus Clinic is the leading provider of the latest evidence-based treatments for tinnitus in the UK.
This type of tinnitus looks like phantom limb pain. In an amputee, the brain produces abnormal nerve signals to compensate for the lack of information. There is no FDA-approved drug treatment for tinnitus, and controlled trials have found no drug, supplement, or herb that is more effective than a placebo. Your general health can affect the severity and impact of tinnitus, so it's also a good time to take stock of your diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress level and take steps to improve them.
Tinnitus can be a side effect of many medications, especially when taken at higher doses (see Some Medications That Can Cause or Worsen Tinnitus). It will also ask you to describe the noise you hear (including its tone and sound quality, and whether it is constant or periodic, constant or pulsating) and the times and places where you hear it. The most effective approaches are behavioral strategies and sound-generating devices, which are often used in combination. If you notice any new pulsating tinnitus, you should see a doctor, as in rare cases it is a sign of a tumor or damage to the blood vessels.
Many people worry that tinnitus is a sign that they are going deaf or that they have another serious medical problem, but it rarely is. Pulsatile tinnitus may be more noticeable at night when you're lying in bed and there are fewer external sounds masking tinnitus.
