Tinnitus is a problem with the ears that is normally characterized as ringing or humming sounds coming from inside the head. Bear in mind that the sounds heard with tinnitus are exclusively heard by the patient, and nobody else. Although there is no known cause for tinnitus, it can be brought on by a number of different reasons, including damage to the inner ear, a middle ear infection, hearing loss, Meniere’s Disease, and more. So, what exactly does tinnitus sound like and how do you know if you are suffering from it?
Ringing in the Ears:
In general, tinnitus will sound like a ringing in the ears. In most cases, this does not persist, for example, in the case of tinnitus which has been brought on by prolonged exposure to loud noises, or if you attend a music festival or gig and experience a ringing sound in your ears when you leave. Most commonly, patients with tinnitus will describe a ringing sound, although the pitch of this can vary and some patients experience a ringing sound that is in line with their pulse; a condition known as pulsatile tinnitus.
Other Sounds:
It’s not just a ringing sound that mainly characterizes tinnitus; many patients also describe hearing a number of other sounds, including a buzzing sound, hissing, whistling, roaring, or even sounds that are described as the release of air, or the sound of running water. Bear in mind that tinnitus is not the same for every patient, including the sounds heard – these can vary greatly depending on a number of factors including the cause of the condition, length, seriousness and more.
Dealing with the Sounds:
No matter which kind of sound you hear in your head or ears, dealing with tinnitus is never a nice experience. If you are currently experiencing a ringing, humming, hissing or other kind of sound coming from your head and not the external environment, then the best thing to do is see your doctor immediately so that they can best determine how to help you deal with the condition. In many cases, tinnitus can be caused by an easily treatable underlying condition such as an infection. If you are struggling to cope with the sounds on a day to day basis, then counseling and therapy can help you find healthy coping mechanisms and ways to manage.
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[…] Tinnitus is a disorder where you experience ringing in your head or ears while there is no external sound or noise present. You hear noises on either intermittent or continuous basis. The sound keeps on fluctuating in your eardrums. The types of sounds heard can vary significantly and the annoying noises can exacerbate the symptoms. You may hear sounds similar to hissing, static, roaring, buzzing, whistling and whooshing. […]