• Hissing
• Whooshing
• Buzzing
• Roaring or loud "white noise"
• Whistling
• Ringing

Tinnitus most commonly develops in the inner or middle ear. Damages or changes in your inner ear causes certain sounds to be transmitted to the brain more faintly. Your brain responds to this by "turning up the volume" on sounds your ear is having difficulty hearing. When tinnitus occurs in the middle ear, it is often the result of a damaged eardrum.

Research is still being conducted into how the noise develops but in most cases tinnitus is caused by:

Loud noises
Excessive strain on your hearing by loud noises is the most common trigger of tinnitus. Those who have regularly been in a noisy environment (workplace noise, traffic, loud music or machinery) for years are at much higher risk of tinnitus.

Fatigue/Stress
Studies have shown that those affected by acute hearing loss and tinnitus have more frequently been under severe stress than those without.

Injury
If you experience a trauma to your ear, head or neck this can cause tinnitus to develop.

Medication
Tinnitus may be a side effect of certain medications. These include specific pain and arthritis medications, remedies for malaria and certain antidepressants that may trigger the symptoms of tinnitus.

Illness
Infections or inflammation in your ear, diabetes, Ménière’s disease, chronic emotional stress and other illnesses have been linked as causes of tinnitus. 

Age/Hearing Loss
As you age or if experience hearing loss the functionality of your ears changes. This can cause people to experience tinnitus. 

Depending on the type and severity of your tinnitus treatment may include:

• Meditation and/or relaxation exercises
• Stress reduction
• Sound therapies
• Medication 
• Aid from psychologists and/or counsellors
• Improving overall health
• Hearing aids

Do you think you have tinnitus?

If you're concerned you or someone you know may have tinnitus contact us or book an appointment at Connect Hearing for advice on next steps