Tinnitus

Man with sound vibrations coming out of his ears

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external sound source (McKenna et al., 2017). Tinnitus is unique to the individual, but you may hear sounds like buzzing, ringing, whooshing, or music.

What causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is very common and is reported in all age groups, even young children. About 30% of people will experience tinnitus at some point in their lives, and 1/7 individuals will live with persistent tinnitus (Tinnitus UK, 2024).

Although the exact cause of tinnitus is unknown, research has shown that it is more commonly linked to hearing loss or other ear problems, certain medications, and stress and anxiety (NICE, 2023).