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What are the symptoms of tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head

when no external source is present. In many cases,

it can be a symptom of other conditions, such as hearing loss.

Learn more about the main causes of tinnitus

and what you can do about it.

Take our Online Tinnitus Quiz Tinnitus treatment
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What are the signs of tinnitus?

The symptoms of tinnitus include noises in the ears or head that can sound like:

  • Ringing
  • Buzzing
  • Humming
  • Whooshing
  • Whistling

The symptoms of tinnitus can vary depending on the underlying causes and its severity. The phantom noise may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or it may come and go.

What can tinnitus be a symptom of?
 Tinnitus causes

What are the symptoms of severe tinnitus?

Tinnitus is rarely a sign of a serious underlying condition, but in the case of severe tinnitus, sounds can be so loud that they interfere with your ability to concentrate or hear actual, external sounds. When it lasts more than six months, it's known as chronic tinnitus.1

Please consult an ENT or hearing care professional if you are concerned about your tinnitus or if it is affecting your daily life.

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Woman experiencing tinnitus symptoms, holding her hands near her ears.

Online tinnitus test

People with tinnitus often experience hearing loss too. Our quick online tinnitus test can help give you an idea of whether or not you might have tinnitus and/or hearing loss, and what you can do about it.

Question 1
Do you ever experience ringing or buzzing sounds in your ear(s) when no external sound is present?
Do you ever have trouble falling asleep or concentrating due to any ringing or buzzing sounds in your ear(s)?
Do you ever have trouble following conversations because you don’t hear properly?
Do you find yourself turning up the volume on the TV or radio louder than normal?

Your result:

Indications of tinnitus and hearing loss

Your answers indicate that you may experience symptoms of tinnitus and hearing loss. We recommend that you visit one of our clinics. There are hearing aids that can treat your hearing loss and might give you relief from your tinnitus.*

Book a FREE hearing test in a clinic near you

* The result of the test may only be used for guidance. Official conclusions about hearing loss/tinnitus can be provided by our registered hearing care experts.

Your result:

Indications of hearing loss

Your answers indicate that you may experience symptoms of hearing loss but it's unlikely that you have symptoms of tinnitus. We recommend that you visit one of our clinics to to see if you have a hearing loss that should be treated.*

Book a FREE hearing test in a clinic near you

* The result of the test may only be used for guidance. Official conclusions about hearing loss/tinnitus can be provided by our registered hearing care experts.

Your result:

Symptoms of tinnitus indicated

Your answers indicate that you may experience symptoms of tinnitus. We recommend that you read about tinnitus treatment options to learn about how to cope with and find relief from tinnitus symptoms.*

* The result of the test may only be used for guidance. Official conclusions about hearing loss/tinnitus can be provided by our registered hearing care experts.

Your result:

Tinnitus or hearing loss unlikely

Your answers indicate that it is unlikely that you have tinnitus - or that you have non-bothersome tinnitus that is not currently affecting your everyday life. If you experience symptoms of tinnitus in the future, we recommend visiting one of our hearing clinics.

* The result of the test may only be used for guidance. Official conclusions about hearing loss/tinnitus can be provided by our registered hearing care experts.

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Signs and symptoms of different types of tinnitus

A stylized icon of a human head outlined in blue, featuring soundwave symbols on the right side, suggesting hearing or communication in a hearing care context. No text is present.
Subjective
This is when only you can hear the tinnitus sounds. This is the most common type of tinnitus.
A stylized ear icon with blue, green, and white details emits sound wave illustrations on a black background, symbolizing hearing care, sound, and audiology services. No text is present.
Objective
This is when the tinnitus is audible to another person as a sound coming from the ear canal. Usually, it is caused by a vascular disorder or muscle contractions.
Illustration of letter
Pulsatile
This is when you (and sometimes your doctor) can hear sounds that are in sync with your heartbeat. This is the rarest type of tinnitus.
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Can tinnitus be a symptom of hearing loss?

Tinnitus and hearing loss are closely linked. An estimated 90% of people who experience tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss.2

Hearing aids can be a great help for people with tinnitus. When you hear better, your brain is given more sound information to process.3 Hearing aids help process the sound in a natural way so that you can listen with less effort. Many hearing aids today also come equipped with soothing tinnitus relief sounds.

Hearing aids for tinnitus Tinnitus causes
A woman with curly gray hair, seated at a table in a brightly lit room, rests her chin on her hand, with a laptop, glasses, and a glass of water nearby.

Tinnitus relief can mean emotional relief

We know tinnitus can be mentally taxing4, especially because other people may not experience it themselves or understand what it’s like to live with it. Since stress can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms, it can become a vicious cycle.

Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms and take charge of your well-being. If your tinnitus is due to hearing loss, modern hearing technology could help.

Learn about the helpful remedies for tinnitus:
Tinnitus treatment

If you experience sudden onset of hearing
loss or tinnitus, contact a doctor today.

Tinnitus specialist providing expert audiology care
Fiona Idriss, Audiologist and Tinnitus Expert

Fiona Idriss is a highly experienced Hidden Hearing audiologist with over 30 years of experience in delivering a range of patient-centred services. Fiona specialises in auditory rehabilitation with holistic support, including relaxation and mindfulness techniques for tinnitus and sound sensitivity. Find out more here:

Last reviewed 2024-12-20

Sources

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/tinnitus-ringing-in-the-ears-and-what-to-do-about-it
2. https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/hearing-loss-tinnitus-statistics
3. https://www.oticon.global/hearing-aid-users/blog/2020/all-about-tinnitus
4. Fetoni, A. R., Lucidi, D., De Corso, E., Fiorita, A., Conti, G., & Paludetti, G. (2016). Relationship between subjective tinnitus perception and psychiatric discomfort. The international tinnitus journal, 20(2), 76-82.
5. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus#symptoms
6. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/2789494?resultClick=1
7. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2016.1198966

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