The most common Tinnitus sounds reported are;

Ringing- usually a continuous high pitched note, which is why Tinnitus is sometimes referred to as ‘Ringing in the ears’. This can resemble the high pitched ringing sound emitted by some electrical equipment such as television sets.

Buzzing, whistling, hissing and humming sounds are also commonly heard.

Other sufferers report sounds like rushing water, wooshing type noises or the sound made by a seashell held close to the ear.

Others still hear sounds resembling chirping noises, roaring, fluttering or noises resembling a chainsaw. Rarer still are sufferers who hear sounds resembling musical notes or Morse code.

Sounds which appear to beat in time with the pulse are known as ‘Pulsating Tinnitus’. Tinnitus sounds can also worsen if the sufferer is under stress or undertaking physical activity.

Different sounds heard can give a clue to the cause of the tinnitus; the ringing and buzzing noises may be linked with inner ear damage which may be triggered by exposure to noise. Whooshing or roaring noises may indicate stress induced Tinnitus.

Tinnitus sounds are most commonly heard in both ears, but some sufferers report hearing the sounds in one ear only.

Common tinnitus noises heard include ringing (people commonly associate Tinnitus with a ringing in the ears), humming, buzzing, whistling or noises similar to running water or the ‘wooshing’ sound heard from a seashell held to the ear. The noise can be any pitch, and can either be continuous or intermittent.

Tinnitus sufferers can find it difficult to function on a day to day basis due to distraction caused by the noise, which they can find impossible to shut out. It can also prevent sleep and cause depression and affected quality of life. Tinnitus can also be associated with hearing loss.

The different forms of Tinnitus are;

Pulsatile or Pulsating Tinnitus, when the noises heard appear to beat in time with the pulse.

Tonal Tinnitus, which is the original ‘ringing in the ears’; this is usually a continuous sound, of the same pitch and intensity.

Tinnitus where the sufferer hears other types of noises, such as beeping, buzzing or whooshing sounds.

A rare form of tinnitus where the noises heard may be similar to musical notes or even songs, or the sufferer may experience more than one noise at the same time. A rarer form still is ‘Objective Tinnitus’, where the noises can be heard by others as well as the sufferer.

Tinnitus is more common than people realise, with a third of adults reporting tinnitus type symptoms. Although it is not a disease and not generally serious, it can cause great distress.