That Ringing in Your Ears Has a Name

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You’re sitting quietly in the evening when you notice it: a faint ringing, buzzing, or humming that seems to have come from nowhere. There’s no television on, no appliance making the noise, and nobody else can hear it.

That sound may be tinnitus, the name given to hearing sounds that don’t come from an outside source. It can sound like ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, or even a pulsing noise. For some people, it comes and goes, while others notice it much more consistently.

Tinnitus can have several possible causes. Exposure to loud noise, hearing loss, earwax, and some medicines can all be associated with it. Sometimes there is no obvious cause. It can also occur alongside other ear problems, so it’s worth paying attention if the sound is new or noticeably different.

A particularly important detail is whether the sound is in one ear or both. If you’ve suddenly developed tinnitus in one ear, or you’ve noticed a significant change in your hearing at the same time, speak with a healthcare professional rather than simply waiting for it to disappear.

You should also seek prompt medical advice if the noise seems to pulse in time with your heartbeat, particularly if it has appeared recently. This type of tinnitus can sometimes have a different underlying cause and deserves assessment.

For less troublesome tinnitus, reducing exposure to loud sounds is sensible. You may also find that complete silence makes the noise more noticeable, particularly at bedtime. Gentle background sound, such as quiet music, or a fan, can make it less intrusive for some people.

Be cautious about products or supplements that promise to cure tinnitus. There isn’t a universal treatment because tinnitus can have many different causes. Finding out what may be contributing to it is a more useful first step.

If the ringing is regularly affecting your sleep, concentration, or enjoyment of everyday activities, mention it to your doctor or hearing professional. You don’t necessarily have to simply learn to live with a sound that is interfering with your day.

That mysterious noise in your ears may have a name, but the more important question is what might be causing it. If it’s persistent, changing or accompanied by hearing problems, getting it assessed is a sensible place to start.