Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head when no external sound is present. It is commonly described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking, or whooshing. Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom that can arise from many underlying causes, including hearing loss, noise exposure, earwax blockage, ear infections, certain medications, and conditions such as Meniere's disease.

In many cases, tinnitus occurs alongside sensorineural hearing loss. The brain appears to compensate for reduced auditory input from damaged hair cells by increasing its own neural activity, which is perceived as sound. The severity varies widely. Some people are barely aware of it. Others find it significantly affects sleep, concentration, and quality of life. Anxiety and stress typically worsen its perceived intensity.

There is currently no single cure for tinnitus, but several evidence-based management approaches exist, including sound therapy, hearing aids (which reduce tinnitus perception by improving access to external sound), tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). In Canada, tinnitus assessment and management are within the scope of practice of registered audiologists.