Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
Ringing, buzzing or humming heard with no outside sound source. Its causes, its link to hearing loss, and the support hearing aids can offer.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is ringing, buzzing, humming or whistling heard in the ear or head when there's no outside sound source. It's a symptom, not a disease, and it's quite common — many people experience it at some point in life. When it becomes constant, it can affect sleep and concentration.
What causes it?
- Prolonged exposure to loud sound (the most common preventable cause)
- Age-related hearing loss — often goes hand in hand with tinnitus
- Earwax buildup or middle-ear problems
- Side effects of some medications
- Stress and fatigue can make it worse
An ENT exam and a hearing test are needed to pin down the exact cause.
Its link to hearing loss
A significant share of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss alongside it. The brain tends to fill the gap left by frequencies it no longer hears with a sound of its "own making". That's why we first recommend a hearing loss assessment to patients who come to us with tinnitus — the test is free.
How can hearing aids help?
Many models from the brands we sell — ReSound, Widex and Signia — have tinnitus masking programmes the device produces soft sounds that help mask the tinnitus, while at the same time correcting hearing loss to bring back surrounding sounds. This supports managing the tinnitus; it isn't a cure and doesn't replace ENT follow-up.
When should you see a doctor?
If your tinnitus has lasted several weeks, is in one ear only, started suddenly, or pulses like a heartbeat, see an ENT specialist first. If hearing support turns out to be needed after the exam, we're here to help you choose a device.
There are two types of tinnitus
Subjective tinnitus is a sound only you can hear, and it makes up the vast majority of cases; it comes from the hearing system. Objective tinnitus is very rare — a real sound from a blood vessel or muscle that a doctor can also hear during examination. Ringing that pulses rhythmically like a heartbeat can be a sign of this and always needs a doctor's assessment.
Habits that ease tinnitus day to day
- Avoid total silence
Tinnitus is heard more in a silent room; a low-volume radio or nature sounds soften the perception.
- Protect against loud sound
Use ear protection in noisy settings; keep headphone volume down.
- Try cutting down caffeine and nicotine
Some people report it makes tinnitus worse; observe the effect for yourself.
- Pay attention to your sleep pattern
Fatigue and stress make tinnitus more noticeable; relaxation exercises can help.
These habits aren't a cure; they help reduce the discomfort. The search for a lasting solution should start with an ENT exam.
How does the process work with device support?
We start with your free hearing test; if there's a loss alongside the tinnitus, the picture becomes clearer. After your ENT specialist's assessment, you can listen to and compare the models with masking programmes (ReSound, Widex, Signia) at the branch. The device both restores surrounding sound by correcting the loss and, with an optional masking sound, helps reduce how noticeable the tinnitus is — a significant share of users report clear relief, especially in the evenings.
Living with tinnitus: setting the right expectation
Success with tinnitus isn't silencing the sound completely — it's pushing it into the background of your life. The brain learns to filter out sounds it isn't focused on over time — this is called habituation. The right hearing support, regular sleep and avoiding total silence speed this process up; constantly checking for and listening to the tinnitus feeds it the other way. If you'd like company along the way, our team at the branches is here with their experience; for the first step, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Not all tinnitus is permanent. It can be short-lived, come and go, or become constant over time. If it's new, recurring, or affecting your life, an ENT exam and hearing assessment are needed to investigate the cause.
A hearing aid isn't a treatment that definitively removes tinnitus. If there's also hearing loss, it can help by making surrounding sounds audible again, so the tinnitus is noticed less. Some devices also have sound-therapy programmes. Its benefit varies from person to person.
An urgent assessment is needed if tinnitus comes with a sudden drop in hearing, severe dizziness, facial weakness, or a recent head injury. See a doctor without delay for tinnitus that pulses in time with your heartbeat too. New tinnitus in one ear only should also be assessed by an ENT specialist.
Yes. There may be a mild loss, or one limited to certain frequencies, that you don't notice in daily life. A hearing test doesn't establish the cause of tinnitus on its own, but it shows your hearing status and feeds into an ENT assessment.
When set correctly, the aim isn't to create a new, bothersome sound. We aim to make the tinnitus less prominent with a low-level, neutral sound. The sound doesn't need to cover the tinnitus completely. If it's uncomfortable, we change the level and sound type together.
Yes, in some people stress, fatigue and lack of sleep can make tinnitus more noticeable. A regular sleep pattern, relaxation methods and protecting against loud sound can help. Even so, don't put it down to stress alone — especially if it's new or one-sided, get a medical assessment.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and doesn't replace diagnosis or treatment. If you have a complaint, see an ENT specialist.