Department of Audiology

Tinnitus Q and A

What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a sound or noise that a person hears in either one or both ears or in the head which does not come from an outside source. It can be just barely noticeable to extremely loud and cause the person a great deal of stress.

What causes tinnitus?
The scientific community is still uncertain as to why people experience tinnitus. Some causes can be as simple as impacted wax in a person’s ear, or an ear infection. Certain medications may have tinnitus as a side effect. Other causes are inner ear diseases or trauma to the head and neck may also be another cause. Exposure to loud noises can often leave people with tinnitus.

What does tinnitus sound like?
The sounds of tinnitus vary considerably. Frequent descriptors of tinnitus include buzzing, ringing, roaring, waterfalls, hissing, etc. It is common for people to hear combinations of sounds as well. Some patients report a pulsing sound. The tinnitus may be constant or come and go and may change in sound type or loudness.

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