Tinnitus: what it is & how it works

Tinnitus is a ringing or swishing noise in one or both ears that originates inside the ear or head. Most people will experience tinnitus at some juncture in their lives. While it is not harmful, the sound can be disturbing, particularly in chronic cases.

Tinnitus is usually a symptom of some other ear problem. The most common cause is exposure to loud noises. Aging, jaw joint misalignment and hearing loss may also cause tinnitus. In rare cases, tinnitus may be caused by a tumor on the nerve in the ear that sends signals to the brain, known as an acoustic neuroma.

In most cases, tinnitus will resolve by itself and requires no special attention. However, if you experience a noise that no one else hears and it doesn’t go away, please contact our office and schedule an appointment with one of our otolaryngologists.