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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Tinnitus
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external noise source. People commonly describe it as ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, or clicking in one or both ears.
Is tinnitus a disease?
No. Tinnitus is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It reflects changes in the hearing system or how the brain processes sound. Identifying the underlying cause is key to effective management.
Is tinnitus common?
Yes. Tinnitus affects millions of people in the UK. For most, it is mild and manageable, but for some it can significantly affect sleep, concentration, and quality of life.
Does tinnitus always mean hearing loss?
Not always, but tinnitus is very commonly associated with hearing loss, including age-related and noise-induced hearing loss. Even subtle hearing changes can trigger tinnitus.
Can earwax cause tinnitus?
Yes. Impacted earwax is a common and reversible cause of tinnitus, often associated with muffled hearing or ear fullness. Safe removal (for example, microsuction) frequently improves symptoms.
What is pulsatile tinnitus?
Pulsatile tinnitus is when the sound is in time with your heartbeat. This is different from common tinnitus and should always be assessed by an ENT specialist to exclude vascular or medical causes.
When should tinnitus be checked urgently?
You should seek urgent ENT assessment if tinnitus:
Is sudden in onset
Is only in one ear
Is pulsatile
Occurs with sudden hearing loss (this is an emergency)
Is associated with dizziness, imbalance, or neurological symptoms
What tests are done for tinnitus?
Assessment may include:
ENT examination of the ears
Microsuction if wax is present
Hearing tests (audiogram)
Tympanometry (middle-ear pressure testing)
Imaging (CT or MRI) in selected cases, especially for one-sided or pulsatile tinnitus
Not everyone needs all tests — investigations are tailored to symptoms.
Can tinnitus be cured?
There is not always a cure, but tinnitus can almost always be managed successfully. Many patients experience significant reduction in how intrusive it feels once the cause is addressed and appropriate strategies are in place.
What treatments help tinnitus?
Treatment depends on the cause and may include:
Treating earwax, infection, or pressure problems
Hearing aids (often very effective)
Sound therapy
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
Sleep and stress management strategies
A personalised approach is essential.
Does stress make tinnitus worse?
Yes. Stress, fatigue, anxiety, and poor sleep can all amplify tinnitus perception. Addressing these factors often leads to meaningful improvement.
Should I avoid silence?
Yes. Complete silence can make tinnitus more noticeable. Gentle background sound (such as quiet music or white noise) often reduces awareness and distress.
Do medications help tinnitus?
There is no single medication that cures tinnitus. However, treating contributing factors (such as sleep problems, anxiety, or underlying ear conditions) can help reduce its impact.
Where can I be assessed for tinnitus?
Specialist tinnitus assessment is available at Hampshire ENT Clinics and Medicana Winchester, providing consultant-led ENT care for patients from Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, Salisbury, and across Hampshire.
What is the outlook for people with tinnitus?
The outlook is generally very good. With the right explanation, reassurance, and management plan, most patients find tinnitus becomes far less intrusive over time, even if it does not disappear completely.