Tinnitus

Tinnitus can sound like: ringing buzzing whooshing humming hissing throbbing music or singing You may hear these sounds in 1 or both ears, or in your head. They may come and go, or you might hear them all the time.

It's not always clear what causes tinnitus, but it's often linked to: some form of hearing loss Ménière's disease conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders or multiple sclerosis anxiety or depression taking certain medicines – tinnitus can be a side effect of some chemotherapy medicines, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin

The GP will look in your ears to see if your tinnitus is caused by something they can treat, like an ear infection or a build-up of earwax . They might also check for any hearing loss. You may be referred to a specialist for further tests and treatment.

If you have tinnitus there are things you can do to help cope. Do try to relax – deep breathing or yoga may help try to find ways to improve your sleep, such as sticking to a bedtime routine or cutting down on caffeine try to avoid things that can make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noises join a support group – talking to other people with tinnitus may help you cope Don’t do not have total silence – listening to soft music or sounds (called sound therapy) may distract you from the tinnitus do not focus on it, as this can make it worse – hobbies and activities may take your mind off it

If the cause of your tinnitus is unknown or cannot be treated, your GP or specialist may refer you for a type of talking therapy. This could be: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – to change the way you think about your tinnitus and reduce anxiety tinnitus counselling – to help you learn about your tinnitus and find ways of coping with it tinnitus retraining therapy – using sound therapy to retrain your brain to tune out and be less aware of the tinnitus You'll usually be offered digital CBT first, which is a type of CBT that's delivered through an online programme or app on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Tinnitus retraining therapy may be available on the NHS for people with severe or persistent tinnitus. It's unclear if tinnitus retraining therapy works for everyone. It's widely available privately. If you have hearing loss, hearing aids may be recommended.