Tinnitus Explained – Causes, Symptoms, and When to See an ENT Specialist
Tinnitus, the perception of ringing, buzzing, humming, or pulsing in the ears, affects millions of people in the UK. For some, it’s a mild background noise; for others, it becomes intrusive and impacts sleep, concentration, or quality of life.
At Hampshire ENT Clinics we provide specialist tinnitus assessment and treatment for patients across Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Salisbury.
Understanding what causes tinnitus is the first step to finding relief.
🎧 What Does Tinnitus Sound Like?
People describe tinnitus in various ways, including:
Ringing
Buzzing
Hissing
Whistling
Humming
Clicking
Pulsing in time with the heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus)
It may affect one ear or both, and may be constant or intermittent.
🩺 Common Causes of Tinnitus
1. Earwax Build-Up
Impacted wax can cause temporary tinnitus, muffled hearing, and ear fullness.
Microsuction at Hampshire ENT Clinics often resolves this quickly.
2. Age-Related or Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss caused by:
Ageing
Noise exposure (concerts, machinery, headphones)
Sudden hearing changes
3. Middle Ear Problems
Conditions such as:
Glue ear
Ear infections
Eustachian tube dysfunction
can create pressure changes that trigger tinnitus.
4. Stress, Fatigue, and Anxiety
These can make tinnitus more noticeable or intrusive.
5. Medications
Some antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and high-dose aspirin may worsen tinnitus.
6. Pulsatile Tinnitus (Hear Your Heartbeat)
Often related to blood flow near the ear.
This type requires ENT assessment to rule out vascular causes.
🔍 When Should You See an ENT Specialist?
Book an ENT assessment at Hampshire ENT or Medicana Winchester if:
Tinnitus lasts more than 2–3 weeks
It is only in one ear
It is pulsatile (heartbeat sound)
It occurs with hearing loss, dizziness, or ear blockage
You suddenly lose hearing (urgent)
Our specialists provide:
Ear examination
Microsuction (if wax-related)
Hearing tests (audiogram)
Tympanometry
Imaging (if needed for pulsatile or one-sided tinnitus)
Medical and therapeutic management
🧠 How Is Tinnitus Treated?
While tinnitus cannot always be “cured,” it can be successfully managed.
Treatment options include:
1. Treating the Underlying Cause
Wax removal, treating infections, correcting pressure problems, or managing allergies.
2. Sound Therapy
Gentle background sound to reduce the brain’s focus on tinnitus.
3. Hearing Aids
Improving hearing reduces tinnitus for many patients.
4. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
A proven structured programme combining sound therapy with counselling.
5. Managing Stress, Sleep, and Lifestyle
Stress can amplify tinnitus — targeted strategies often help significantly.
🌟 Expert Tinnitus Care Across Hampshire
Our ENT surgeons provide tinnitus assessment.
You don’t need to travel to London for specialist tinnitus care.
👉 If tinnitus is affecting your daily life, contact Hampshire ENT Clinics for specialist assessment and personalised treatment.