What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is often described as a ringing sound in the ears or head. It can take on many forms such as a whistling, humming, buzzing, or pulsing and can be present occasionally or constantly throughout the day and night. Most of the time it is subjective which means only the person experiencing tinnitus can hear it. In such cases, the ringing is not an actual sound in the ear but a misfiring of the nerve connecting the ear to the brain. Tinnitus is commonly associated with hearing loss but can affect normal hearing individuals as well.

Tinnitus is very common and usually presents no serious medical concerns!!

In some cases the tinnitus sounds/feels like a pulsing or only presents in one ear, in which case it is important to consult with a doctor. Pulsatile or unilateral (one-sided) tinnitus are usually harmless but there are certain rare conditions which can cause these symptoms and may require medical treatment.

The word tinnitus is of Latin origin, meaning “to ring or tinkle.” Tinnitus has two different pronunciations, both of which are commonly used:
1. ti-NIGHT-us
2. TINN-a-tus

There is no cure, but there is help. Together we can develop a personalized treatment plan to manage your tinnitus.