If you’ve ever heard a persistent sound in your ears that no one else seems to notice, you’re probably not imagining things—and you’re not alone. This symptom is called tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound with no external source. It’s not a disease itself but a symptom of underlying conditions like hearing loss or ear trauma. The sounds can vary in tone, intensity and duration.
Common Descriptions of Tinnitus Sounds
Patients describe tinnitus in a few different ways, including:
- Ringing: the most well-known form, often associated with high-pitched tones
- Buzzing: a low-pitched, vibrating hum
- Clicking: repetitive, mechanical-sounding ticks
- Hissing: like steam escaping from a pipe
- Roaring: very low-pitched, similar to ocean waves or wind
- Pulsing: a rhythmic thumping that may align with your heartbeat (may increase with physical exertion, e.g., a run around Alexander Park)
The Different Types of Tinnitus
There are two main types of tinnitus:
- Subjective tinnitus. This is the most common form, accounting for approximately 99% of cases. With subjective tinnitus, only the person experiencing it can hear the sound. It’s often related to hearing loss, exposure to loud noise or age-related changes in the ear.
- Objective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus is rare, accounting for only 1% of tinnitus cases. A healthcare provider can sometimes hear this type of tinnitus using a stethoscope near the patient’s ear. It’s typically caused by internal bodily functions related to blood flow or musculoskeletal movement. Pulsing sounds, called pulsatile tinnitus, are one example of objective tinnitus.
Why Does Tinnitus Sound Different to Everyone?
Tinnitus sounds may vary due to the underlying cause and the individual way your brain processes the phantom noise. For instance, someone with noise-induced hearing loss may report a sharp, high-pitched whistle, while another person with a vascular issue may hear rhythmic whooshing.
Tinnitus is as unique as the person experiencing it. That’s why it’s essential to approach symptom management with a personalized plan.
What Are My Symptom Management Options?
Tinnitus management varies depending on its cause. In cases of objective tinnitus, management typically targets the underlying medical condition. For subjective tinnitus, the focus is usually on masking or minimizing the perceived noise using sound machines or hearing aids.
If you’re struggling with tinnitus, contact Advanced Hearing today to discuss symptom management with one of our specialists.