Experiences with
TinnitusCheck if you have tinnitus
Tinnitus can sound like:
- ringing
- buzzing
- whooshing
- humming
- hissing
- throbbing
- music or singing
You may hear these sounds in 1 or both ears, or in your head. They may come and go, or you might hear them all the time.
Causes of tinnitus
It's not always clear what causes tinnitus, but it's often linked to:
- some form of hearing loss
- Ménière's disease
- conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders or multiple sclerosis
- anxiety or depression
- taking certain medicines – tinnitus can be a side effect of some chemotherapy medicines, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin
- you have tinnitus regularly or constantly
- your tinnitus is getting worse
- your tinnitus is bothering you – for example, it's affecting your sleep or concentration, or is making you feel anxious and depressed
- you have tinnitus that beats in time with your pulse
What happens at your appointment
The GP will look in your ears to see if your tinnitus is caused by something they can treat, like an ear infection or a build-up of earwax.
They might also check for any hearing loss.
You may be referred to a specialist for further tests and treatment.
- you have tinnitus after a head injury
- you have tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, weakness in the muscles of your face, or a spinning sensation (vertigo)
Things you can try to help cope with tinnitus
If you have tinnitus there are things you can do to help cope.
try to relax – deep breathing or yoga may help
try to find ways to improve your sleep, such as sticking to a bedtime routine or cutting down on caffeine
try to avoid things that can make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noises
join a support group – talking to other people with tinnitus may help you cope
do not have total silence – listening to soft music or sounds (called sound therapy) may distract you from the tinnitus
do not focus on it, as this can make it worse – hobbies and activities may take your mind off it
Treatments for tinnitus
If the cause of your tinnitus is unknown or cannot be treated, your GP or specialist may refer you for a type of talking therapy.
This could be:
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – to change the way you think about your tinnitus and reduce anxiety
- tinnitus counselling – to help you learn about your tinnitus and find ways of coping with it
- tinnitus retraining therapy – using sound therapy to retrain your brain to tune out and be less aware of the tinnitus
You'll usually be offered digital CBT first, which is a type of CBT that's delivered through an online programme or app on your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Tinnitus retraining therapy may be available on the NHS for people with severe or persistent tinnitus. It's unclear if tinnitus retraining therapy works for everyone. It's widely available privately.
If you have hearing loss, hearing aids may be recommended.
SymptomsCausesSelf-careMedical treatmentsTinnitus can sound like ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing, throbbing, music or singing. You may hear these sounds in your head or ears.
The cause of tinnitus is not always clear, but it's often linked to hearing loss, Ménière's disease, anxiety or depression, or certain conditions.
Things you can do to help cope with tinnitus include trying to relax and avoiding stress or loud background noises, which can make tinnitus worse.
If your tinnitus is severe or persistent, you may be referred for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, or tinnitus retraining therapy.
Related links
HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence