Tinnitus (from the Latin meaning “ringing”) is the medical term for any noise that people hear in one or both ears in the absence of any external sound. The way in which people experience tinnitus varies enormously – the perceived loudness can be anything from a whisper to a roar; it can be either constant or intermittent. It is normally described as a ringing sound; however, some people will hear other sounds such as buzzing, humming, whistling, tunes or even songs.

Tinnitus is quite common and can occur at any age. A third of all adults report some tinnitus. It is rarely linked to any serious problem and people usually learn to manage it.

Causes of Tinnitus

There are a number of different causes of tinnitus. It can be linked to exposure to loud noise, hearing loss, ear or head injuries, ear infections, diseases of the ear, or emotional stress. It can also be a side effect of medication or a combination of all of these things.

Some of the known causes of tinnitus include:

• Ear infections
If you have an ear infection it can cause discomfort and tinnitus and may lead to hearing loss, if it is left untreated. It is important to visit your GP, who will be able to treat the infection.

• Noise exposure
There is a lot of evidence to connect continued exposure to noise with hearing loss and tinnitus. Loud sounds can damage your hearing, especially if you listen to them for hours at a time.

Make sure your employer monitors the amount of noise you are exposed to at work to ensure you are not exposed to levels above the limits set out in the Noise at Work Regulations 2006.

• Stress
Although stress cannot cause tinnitus, it can make it worse. Tinnitus in itself can make you feel stressed. Stress management can be an effective way of dealing with tinnitus.

• Medication
Medication that may be damaging to hearing is described as being “ototoxic”.

There are very few ototoxic drugs and they are usually prescribed for serious or life threatening conditions. In those cases, the seriousness of the condition outweighs the risk of damage to hearing. Where ototoxic medication is prescribed, patients are usually strictly monitored.

Even if tinnitus is identified as a possible side effect this does not mean that all patients will develop the condition. Everyone reacts differently. It is also important to remember that the condition for which the medication has been prescribed may cause the tinnitus to become worse or the added stress of having the condition, rather than the medication itself.

If you have any queries about the medication you are taking or if you feel it is causing your tinnitus to become worse then you should consult your pharmacist or GP for advice. Do not change the dose of any medication you are taking, or stop taking it, without the agreement of your GP.