24/09/2026
Tinnitus is the perception of sound—such as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling—without an external sound source.
It is a symptom rather than a single disease, and its causes can range from prolonged noise exposure and age-related auditory changes to ear conditions, certain medications, and other factors.
A key concept is the ear–brain connection: changes in the cochlea or auditory pathways can alter the signals reaching the brain, influencing how sound is perceived.
Understanding the possible cause is important because management should be tailored to the individual.
Listen carefully. Sometimes the most important sound has no external source.