Tinnitus
You're not alone, and there is help
Around 7.1 million people in the UK experience tinnitus. Our audiologists offer specialist assessments and evidence-based management plans to help you regain control.
Book a tinnitus assessment
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head without an external source. It can be temporary or persistent, mild or severe, and affects people in very different ways.
While there is currently no single cure, effective management strategies exist that can significantly reduce its impact on daily life.
Common tinnitus sounds
These are interactive buttons, click one to hear a short example. Please make sure your device's sound is switched on.
If you are wearing headphones or earphones, please lower the volume before playing a sample. Unexpectedly loud audio at close range can be startling and, with repeated exposure, may contribute to hearing damage.
Understanding your symptoms
Tinnitus can sound like ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing or pulsing when there is no external sound. It may come and go or remain present, and it can affect one or both ears.
If your tinnitus is noticeable enough to interrupt your sleep, concentration or conversations, it is worth getting professional advice. It may be linked to hearing loss, earwax or an ear infection, all of which can be checked during an ear examination and hearing assessment.
Simple things that may help
- Use gentle background sound, such as quiet music, a fan or natural sounds, particularly at bedtime.
- Maintain a consistent sleep routine and reduce caffeine if you notice that it worsens your symptoms.
- Try relaxation, breathing exercises or another activity that reduces stress.
- Protect your ears around genuinely loud noise, but avoid wearing earplugs unnecessarily in everyday environments.
- Avoid complete silence, as this can make tinnitus feel more prominent.
These approaches can make tinnitus easier to manage, but they do not replace a professional assessment.
Interactive tool
Could it be tinnitus?
Six quick questions to help you understand whether what you're experiencing sounds like tinnitus. This is guidance, not a diagnosis, only an audiologist can properly assess it. Noticing muffled hearing generally rather than ringing or buzzing? Try our hearing check instead.
Question 1 of 6
Do you notice ringing, buzzing, whistling, hissing or humming that isn't coming from anywhere around you?
When tinnitus needs medical attention
Some symptoms that resemble or accompany tinnitus need more urgent investigation.
Seek urgent medical help if:
- The sound beats in time with your pulse
- Your hearing suddenly decreases in one or both ears
- Your hearing has worsened quickly over several days or weeks
- The tinnitus follows a head injury
- You also experience facial weakness, severe dizziness or a spinning sensation
- The sound remains on one side or is accompanied by noticeably uneven hearing
- You have persistent ear pain, discharge or bleeding
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice. If tinnitus follows a head injury or occurs with sudden hearing loss, facial weakness or severe vertigo, follow NHS advice and attend A&E or call 999.
Management approaches
Sound therapy
Using background sound to reduce the perceived loudness of tinnitus, via hearing aids, white noise generators or smartphone apps.
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)
A combination of sound enrichment and counselling to help the brain gradually tune out tinnitus signals.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT techniques address the emotional response to tinnitus, reducing anxiety and improving quality of life.
Hearing aids with tinnitus masking
Many modern hearing aids include built-in tinnitus management features that play soothing sounds throughout the day.
Start with a free hearing test
A hearing test is a sensible first step, even if you are unsure whether your hearing has changed. Soundwell can help you find a free hearing test with a qualified audiologist near you, with no GP referral and no sales pressure.
Your audiologist can check your hearing, look for common causes such as earwax and explain whether further medical assessment would be appropriate.
Tinnitus becoming hard to ignore? Book a free hearing test near you.
Book a free hearing test
Take the first step
A comprehensive tinnitus assessment is the starting point for any effective management plan. Our specialists are trained to support you every step of the way.
Book a tinnitus assessment