Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that come from inside your body. They are not caused by an outside noise.
It's not usually a sign of anything serious and generally resolves over time.
It can affect anyone, including children. But it's more common in people age 65 and older.
Symptoms of tinnitus
Tinnitus is often described as ringing in the ears.
But it can also sound like:
- 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.
Severe cases of tinnitus can be very distressing. It can affect concentration and cause problems such as difficulty sleeping and lead to depression.
Emergency action required: Call 999 or 112 or go to the nearest emergency department (ED) if
you have tinnitus:
- after a head injury
- with sudden hearing loss
- with weakness in the muscles of your face
- with a spinning sensation (vertigo)
Non-urgent advice: Contact a GP if:
- you have tinnitus a lot or all of the time
- 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 (pulsatile tinnitus)
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
