Yup, these are the typical words people use to describe those irritating sounds in the ears. It’s not a disease; it’s a symptom. Tinnitus varies in perception from one person to another. Common causes include noise exposure, certain medications, hearing loss, trauma, and emotional distress. There’s no need to worry if it’s not bothering you. There are various factors that can worsen tinnitus; common ones are stress, illness, loud noises, ear wax, or infections.

Experiencing tinnitus means hearing a noise, such as ringing or buzzing, without a clear external source. When someone experiences emotional distress, cognitive dysfunction, and/or autonomic arousal along with perceiving a sound, it could be tinnitus disorder. These symptoms might cause alterations in behaviour and difficulty performing daily tasks.
There are various interventions available to help manage tinnitus, such as tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), therapy focusing on cognitive and behavioural patterns, pharmacological methods, sound therapy apps, maintaining a healthy diet and sleep patterns, and using implants and hearing aids.

If you’re feeling bothered, it’s crucial to have a chat with a hearing specialist or your GP regarding your tinnitus.