Symptoms
Ringing, buzzing, humming, clicking, or hissing in one or both ears.
Hearing conditions
Tinnitus
Ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds heard without an outside source.
Causes
Hearing changes, noise exposure, earwax, medications, stress, jaw concerns, blood-flow conditions, and other causes may contribute.
Risk factors
Noise exposure, hearing loss, certain medications, stress, and some health conditions.
Testing
An ear examination and hearing evaluation can help identify contributing factors. Additional medical assessment may be needed in some cases.
Treatment
Management may include treating an underlying cause, hearing rehabilitation, sound strategies, counseling approaches, and sleep or stress support.
When to seek medical attention
Seek prompt medical care for tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, severe dizziness, neurologic symptoms, or a pulsing sound in time with your heartbeat.
Which professional can help?
An audiologist can assess hearing and discuss tinnitus support. An ENT can evaluate medical causes.
Find a hearing-care professionalThis guide is educational and is not a diagnosis. A qualified clinician can help you understand symptoms in the context of your personal health history.