Tinnitus

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Preparing for your appointment

Tests and diagnosis
Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine
Coping and support
Prevention

Definition

Tinnitus (TIN-i-tus) is noise or ringing in the ears. A common problem, tinnitus affects about one in five people. But, it isn't a condition itself — it's is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder.

Although bothersome, in most cases tinnitus isn't a sign of something serious. For most people, symptoms of tinnitus get better with treatment. Sometimes it gets better by treating an underlying cause when one is identified. Other treatments reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable.

Symptoms