4 Common Signs of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition where the person experiencing it hears noises such as ringing, whistling or humming. One person often experiences a number of different sounds at various times. While some people might notice the symptoms of tinnitus right away, not everyone is so sure or realizes what it is they're hearing. There are several common signs of tinnitus, as well as some that aren't so common, which people with particularly severe or prolonged cases might experience. If you think that you or someone you know could have tinnitus, an audiologist can help you with a diagnosis. Take a look at these common symptoms to find out if you should make an appointment.

Sounds in your ears or head

Tinnitus is characterized by noises in your ears or your head that no one else can hear, and which usually aren't linked to a mental health issue. These sounds are often ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming, white noise or some other non-specific and meaningless sound. On rare occasions, some people can hear sounds to the beat if their pulse or can even experience musical hallucinations. However, these are less common. The sounds might not be there all the time, and can get worse when sitting or lying in different positions or due to other factors, such as stress.

Hearing noises only at night

Many people imagine that tinnitus causes sound all the time. However, it's possible not to notice them much of the time. This is especially true when you're in louder environments, and the background noise provides a distraction or covers up the sound of the tinnitus. It might not be until you're in a quieter environment that you hear the sounds. Many people find that they can hear tinnitus noises at night but not during the day. Although it might just be a bit annoying, it can also make it difficult to get to sleep.

Difficulty concentrating

Tinnitus can also make it difficult to concentrate or focus. The noise can be a distraction, and it can be challenging to tune out. Tinnitus also often goes hand-in-hand with hearing loss, which can affect your ability to hear conversations, among other things. Your brain is working overtime to interpret the information it's receiving (or not receiving) from your ears, which can make it hard to focus. If you're struggling to concentrate, it could be due to tinnitus and hearing loss, even if you don't realize it.

Noises when you're tired or stressed

Being tired or particularly stressed can make tinnitus worse. Although stress and anxiety haven't been identified as clear causes of tinnitus, we do know that they exacerbate the symptoms. You might find that you experience the symptoms of tinnitus when you're particularly tired or stressed but don't notice them or find they're not so bad at other times. Even if you don't experience the symptoms all the time, you should still see an audiologist to get checked out.

Tinnitus can sound different to different people, and make an appearance at various times. If you think you might have tinnitus, see an audiologist.