Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that are not caused by an outside source. It’s common – around 1 in 7 adults have tinnitus all the time or regularly.

Most often, tinnitus is linked to hearing loss or other ear conditions. It’s rarely a sign of a serious condition. Most people describe tinnitus as “ringing in the ears”, but some people hear other sounds such as:

• hissing
• humming
• buzzing
• whooshing.

There may be a single sound or two or more, and the sound may be low, medium or high pitched. It may be there all the time, or come and go.

Many people get tinnitus for a short time – for example, after being exposed to loud music, or when they have congestion because of a cold. But for some people, it doesn’t go away.

Download your free tinnitus guide

Our guide has information about breathing and relaxation techniques, support communities and things you can do to support a loved one with tinnitus.

• Get the tinnitus guide