Most people describe tinnitus as a buzzing or ringing sound. But that description, though helpful, is woefully inadequate. Tinnitus doesn’t always occur in one of those two ways. Rather, this specific hearing condition can make a veritable symphony of different noises. And that’s important to note.
Because, as useful as that “ringing and buzzing” shorthand might be, such a restricted classification could make it challenging for some individuals to recognize their tinnitus symptoms. If Barb from down the road hears only whooshing or crashing in her ears, it may not even occur to her that tinnitus is responsible. So having a more thorough understanding of what tinnitus sounds like can be good for everyone, Barb included.
A List of Sounds You Might Hear With Tinnitus
Tinnitus is, generally, the sound of noises in your ears. In some cases, this noise really exists (this is called objective tinnitus). And at other times, it can be phantom sounds in your ears (which means that the sounds can’t be heard by others and don’t actually exist – that’s called subjective tinnitus). The specific kind of sounds you hear will most likely depend on what type of tinnitus you suffer from. And there are a lot of conceivable sounds you might hear:
- Ringing: A ringing in the ears is the most prevalent of the tinnitus noises. Frequently, this is a high pitched whine or ring. The ringing is frequently called a “tone”. Ringing is probably what the majority of people think about when they consider tinnitus.
- Static: In some cases, your tinnitus may sound like static. Some people hear a high intensity static and others hear a low intensity static.
- Screeching: Have you ever heard the sound of metal grinding? You may have heard this sound if you’ve ever been near a construction site. But for people who experience tinnitus, this sound is frequently heard.
- Electric motor: Your vacuum cleaner has a very specific sound, in part because of its electric motor. Tinnitus flare-up’s, for some individuals, manifest this particular sound.
- High-pitch whistle: Think about that sound your tea kettle makes when it begins to boil? Sometimes, tinnitus can sound like that particular high-pitched squeal. This one is obviously quite unpleasant.
- Whooshing: Frequently experienced by people who have objective tinnitus, a rhythmic whooshing sound in the ears is often a result of circulation through blood vessels around the ear. You’re essentially hearing the sound of your own heart pumping blood.
- Roaring: The sound of roaring ocean waves is another prevalent tinnitus sound. At first, this sound may not be very unpleasant, but it can quickly become overwhelming.
- Buzzing: At times, it’s not ringing you hear, but a buzzing sound. Many individuals even hear what sounds like cicada’s or a variety of other insects.
This list is not exhaustive, but it certainly starts to give you a picture of just how many possible sounds someone with tinnitus may hear.
Over Time Tinnitus Sounds Can Change
Someone with tinnitus can also hear more than one noise. Brandon, for example, spent most of last week hearing a ringing sound. He got together with friends at a noisy restaurant last night and now he’s hearing a loud static noise. It isn’t unusual for the noise you hear from tinnitus to change like this – and it may change often.
The explanation for the change isn’t really well understood (mostly because the causes of tinnitus aren’t always well known).
Treating Tinnitus
Tinnitus treatments will typically take two possible approaches: masking the noise or helping your brain determine how to dismiss the noise. And in either situation, that means helping you identify and familiarize yourself with the sounds of your tinnitus, whatever they might be.