What is tinnitus? Ringing in the ears: symptoms, causes and when to see a doctor

Tinnitus means hearing a sound that has no outside source, most often a ringing in the ears, but also buzzing, hissing or humming. It is common, it is often linked to some hearing loss, and it is rarely a sign of a serious illness. A few warning signs, though, mean you should see a doctor promptly.

Last reviewed: 28 October 2026

By the Tinnitus Haven editorial team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.

Causes and symptoms

This guide is general information, not medical advice. If your tinnitus is new, one-sided, pulsing or comes with hearing loss or dizziness, see a doctor.

How common is tinnitus?

Very common. A 2022 review that pooled data from 83 studies estimated that about 14 in 100 adults have some form of tinnitus, rising with age, and that about 2 in 100 have severe tinnitus^[1]. Surveys in the United States put the figure at 10 to 25% of adults^[2].

Tinnitus that lasts three months or longer is usually called chronic^{[2, 3]}. It can also improve or go away by itself over time^{[2, 4]}.

Tinnitus symptoms: what does it sound like?

People describe ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing, throbbing, and sometimes music or singing. You may hear it in one ear, in both ears or inside your head, and it may come and go or be there all the time^[5].

Doctors often talk about a few types:

Subjective tinnitus is by far the most common: only you can hear it^[2].
Pulsatile tinnitus pulses rhythmically, often in time with your heartbeat (more on this below)^[2].
Somatosensory tinnitus changes when you move your head, neck, jaw or eyes, or touch certain parts of your body^[2].

What causes tinnitus?

Often no single cause is found, and some people develop tinnitus for no known reason. It has been linked to^{[2, 5]}:

hearing loss, from ageing or loud noise; most people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss
loud noise at work, at concerts or at sporting events
earwax blocking the ear canal, or an ear infection
some medicines, especially at high doses, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers and aspirin, certain antibiotics and some cancer drugs
Ménière's disease, an inner ear condition that also affects balance and hearing
head or neck injuries, and jaw joint problems
conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, migraine or multiple sclerosis
anxiety or depression

A leading theory is that when the inner ear is damaged, the parts of the brain that process sound change in ways that produce the sound you hear. Links with brain areas for attention and emotion may help explain why tinnitus barely bothers some people and deeply distresses others^{[2, 3]}.

Pulsatile tinnitus: when to see a doctor

If the sound beats in time with your pulse, ask for an urgent appointment with your doctor^[5]. Pulsatile tinnitus is less common than the steady kind. Sometimes a doctor can hear it too, for example with a stethoscope; this is called objective tinnitus, and it often has a cause that can be found and treated^[2]. Because it can be linked to blood vessel problems^[2], UK guidance recommends offering imaging to people with pulsatile tinnitus^[4]. Our pulsatile tinnitus guide explains the possible causes and tests.

Is tinnitus a sign of something serious?

Usually not. Tinnitus is only rarely associated with a serious medical problem^[2]. The UK guideline asks clinicians to reassure people that tinnitus is common, that it may resolve by itself, and that although it is often linked to hearing loss, it is not commonly linked to other physical problems^[4]. Some patterns, however, need attention.

When should I see a doctor about tinnitus?

Get help straight away (emergency department or emergency number) if:

tinnitus started after a head injury^[5]
it comes with sudden hearing loss, weakness in your face, or a spinning feeling (vertigo)^[5]
you have other sudden neurological symptoms, or signs of a stroke^[4]
you have thoughts of harming yourself^[4]

See a doctor soon if:

the sound beats in time with your pulse; ask for an urgent appointment^[5]
it is in one ear only, or your hearing is worse on one side^{[4, 6]}; see ringing in one ear
your hearing is getting worse over days or weeks^[4]
tinnitus is constant, getting worse, or affecting your sleep, concentration or mood^[5]

At the appointment, a doctor will usually look in your ears for earwax or infection, ask about your health and medicines, and may check your hearing or refer you to an ear specialist or audiologist^{[5, 2]}. Scans are only needed in particular situations, for example pulsatile tinnitus or one-sided symptoms^[4].

Tinnitus treatment: can tinnitus be cured?

There is currently no cure for tinnitus itself, and no medicine is approved specifically to treat it^[2]. When there is a clear cause, such as earwax, treating it can remove the sound or greatly reduce it^[2]. For lasting tinnitus, the aim is to make it less intrusive and less distressing. Guidelines support:

clear information and counselling about tinnitus^{[4, 3]}
hearing aids if you also have hearing loss^{[4, 6]}
cognitive behavioural therapy, which has the strongest evidence for reducing distress^{[6, 7]}; see our guide to CBT for tinnitus
sound therapy, as an option some people find helpful, although the evidence is limited^{[6, 8]}; see our guide to sound therapy

Supplements such as ginkgo biloba, melatonin or zinc are not recommended for treating tinnitus^[6], and none has been proven to work^[2]; see supplements for tinnitus. For an overview of every option, read tinnitus treatment options.

What can I do day to day?

Avoid total silence: soft music or background sound may take your attention away from the tinnitus^[5].
Protect your ears from loud noise, which can make tinnitus worse^[4].
Look after your sleep; our tinnitus and sleep guide has practical tips.
Find ways to manage stress, another thing that can make tinnitus worse^[4]; see tinnitus, stress and anxiety.
Talk to others: support groups help many people cope^[5].

Tinnitus Haven brings sound therapy, a hearing check and CBT-based lessons together in one calm iPhone app, coming soon to the App Store. Learn more about Tinnitus Haven.

Sources

Jarach CM, Lugo A, Scala M, et al. Global prevalence and incidence of tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Neurology, 2022.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), NIH. Tinnitus. 2023.
Mazurek B, Hesse G, Sattel H, et al. S3 Guideline: Chronic Tinnitus. German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC). HNO, 2022. English version of the German AWMF guideline 017/064 (2021).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Tinnitus: assessment and management (NG155), Recommendations. NICE guideline, 2020.
NHS. Tinnitus. NHS website, 2024.
Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus. Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 2014 (AAO-HNSF).
Fuller T, Cima R, Langguth B, et al. Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020.
Sereda M, Xia J, El Refaie A, et al. Sound therapy (using amplification devices and/or sound generators) for tinnitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018.