Tinnitus: symptoms, causes, treatment & relief options

Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sounds, such as ringing, buzzing, or humming, when there's no external noise. While it can feel worrying, tinnitus is common and manageable for most people.

There's no single cure, but different treatments and approaches can help reduce the impact tinnitus has on your daily life. At Boots Hearingcare, our expert audiologists provide personalised support to help you understand your tinnitus and manage it with confidence. We can also talk you through options such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and sound therapy to help you find the right support for you.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus can sound different for everyone. Some people notice a faint background noise, while others hear a more noticeable ringing, buzzing, or humming. It may start suddenly or develop gradually and is often linked to loud noise exposure, age-related hearing loss, or certain medical conditions.

It's important to know that tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. While it can be upsetting, especially if it's persistent, understanding what's causing it is the first step towards finding the right support and relief.

Tinnitus symptoms

Tinnitus symptoms vary from person to person, both in sound and frequency. You may experience:

Sound types: ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling

Volume changes: sounds that fluctuate or stay constant

Timing: tinnitus that's continuous or comes and goes

Some people may also notice:

Hearing changes: reduced clarity or difficulty following conversations

Sound sensitivity: everyday noises feeling louder or uncomfortable

If tinnitus is affecting your sleep, focus, or comfort, a professional hearing assessment can help identify the cause and explore ways to manage it, including through the Boots Hearing Care SilentCloud app.

Side effects of tinnitus

Tinnitus can affect more than just your hearing. For some people, it may also impact daily life.

Common effects include:

Sleep problems: tinnitus can feel louder in quiet environments

Stress or anxiety: ongoing noise can feel frustrating

Fatigue: especially if sleep is disrupted

Difficulty concentrating: particularly in quiet settings

Dizziness or balance issues: in some cases

If tinnitus is affecting your day-to-day life, support is available. A hearing care professional can help you find ways to manage it.

What does tinnitus sound like?

Tinnitus can take many forms. Common sounds include:

Ringing

A high-pitched tone, similar to a bell or telephone ring

Buzzing

Like bees buzzing or a phone vibrating

Hissing

Similar to escaping air or gentle static

Roaring

Like ocean waves or distant engines

Pulsating

A rhythmic sound that may match your heartbeat

Clicking

Short, irregular clicking noises

Tinnitus treatment options

While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are various ways to effectively manage and find relief from its symptoms.

Here are several approaches for tinnitus relief and symptom management:

White noise therapy

Masking the intrusive tinnitus sounds with background noise from sources like the TV, radio, or natural sounds, can significantly reduce their prominence.

Counselling and therapy

Tinnitus can be distressing, impacting daily life. Approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), and sound therapy can help people manage their response to tinnitus and make it feel less intrusive.

Medication adjustments

You can also access a range of sound therapy through the SilentCloud app to help manage tinnitus. If medication may be triggering your tinnitus, your doctor may suggest making changes.

Hearing aids

For those with intermittent tinnitus or who don't constantly notice it, hearing aids equipped with tinnitus sound adjustments can be beneficial.

Earwax removal

A build-up of earwax can sometimes contribute to tinnitus. If earwax is the cause, having it professionally removed by a hearing care specialist may help reduce your symptoms.

Relief from tinnitus with Boots Hearingcare SilentCloud app

SilentCloud is an easy-to-use app designed to help you understand and manage tinnitus. Rather than simply masking tinnitus with sound, it brings together personalised education, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and sound therapies to help reduce its impact on everyday life.

You can start by exploring free support in the app, with more personalised therapies available if you need them.

Discover SilentCloud

Wearable sound therapy

If SilentCloud isn't right for you, TinniSoothe offers another way to help manage tinnitus. This discreet, wearable sound therapy device plays gentle background sounds that can help make ringing, buzzing or hissing less noticeable.

It clips easily to your clothing or can be worn around your neck, with no earbuds or earphones needed. At just 59mm long and weighing 16g, it's small enough to use wherever you go.

Shop TinniSoothe

How is tinnitus diagnosed?

If tinnitus is new, persistent, or worsening, it's important to seek professional advice.

Diagnosis may include:

GP consultation

Initial assessment and referral if needed

Symptom review

Which ear is affected, sound type, and frequency

Medical history

Including medications and noise exposure

Ear examination

Checking for infection or earwax build-up

Further tests

Scans may be recommended in specific cases

Tinnitus sounds can vary, and it's best not to self-diagnose. If you're unsure, book a free hearing test with one of our expert audiologists, who can offer advice.

When to see a doctor

Tinnitus is often harmless, but you should seek medical advice if:

• It starts suddenly, worsens, or doesn't improve

• It affects only one ear

• You also have hearing loss, dizziness, balance issues, or ear pain

• The sound pulses in time with your heartbeat

• It interferes with sleep, concentration, or daily life

• It follows a head or neck injury

Getting checked can help rule out underlying conditions and guide you towards the right support.

Book a free hearing test to take the first step towards better hearing.

Book a free hearing test

Buzzing in ear: causes

Ear-related causes

• Hearing loss: age-related or noise-induced

• Loud noise exposure: concerts, machinery, headphones

• Earwax build-up: blockage can worsen tinnitus

• Ear infections: fluid or inflammation

• Otosclerosis: abnormal bone growth in the middle ear

Other medical causes

Whilst most tinnitus isn’t cause for alarm, tinnitus is usually a symptom of an underlying issue. Sometimes the exact cause isn't clear, but common triggers include:

• Ménière's disease: tinnitus with dizziness and hearing loss

• Head or neck injuries: affecting nerves or brain pathways

• Medications: some painkillers, antibiotics, or diuretics

• Vascular issues: high blood pressure or blood flow changes

• Metabolic or neurological conditions: such as diabetes or thyroid disorders

• TMJ disorders: jaw joint problems

• Stress and anxiety: can make tinnitus more noticeableWhile most tinnitus isn't a cause for alarm, your GP can help rule out other conditions and advise if further assessment is needed.

Different types

Understanding the type of tinnitus you have can help you learn more about what may be causing it and the support that could help.

What is subjective tinnitus?

Subjective tinnitus is the most common type. It means you hear sounds such as ringing, buzzing or hissing that only you can hear. It can be constant or come and go, and everyone experiences it differently.

What is pulsatile tinnitus?

Pulsatile tinnitus is a rhythmic sound that usually beats in time with your heartbeat. It can sound like pulsing, whooshing or throbbing. If you experience tinnitus that beats in time with your pulse, it's important to speak to your GP for further assessment.

What is objective tinnitus?

Objective tinnitus is rare and is caused by a sound generated within the body that can sometimes be detected by another person, such as a healthcare professional. It can be linked to sounds produced by structures around the ear or changes in blood flow.

Does tinnitus cause hearing loss?

Tinnitus and hearing loss often go hand in hand, particularly when hearing changes are linked to ageing or exposure to loud noise. But tinnitus can also occur without hearing loss. Around 90% of people living with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss*.

With hearing loss: tinnitus may signal changes in your hearing

Without hearing loss: tinnitus is still manageable with the right support

Because hearing loss can be gradual, it may not always be noticeable.

Hearing aids for tinnitus

Hearing aids can be a helpful option for managing tinnitus, especially if it occurs alongside hearing loss. These devices can include built-in tinnitus programs that provide soothing sounds to make ringing, buzzing, or hissing less noticeable.

A hearing test is the best place to start. It helps our audiologists understand your hearing needs and determine whether a hearing aid could also help reduce the impact of tinnitus in daily life.

More information & advice

Tinnitus frequently asked questions

Is there a cure for tinnitus?

Is CBT an effective way to manage tinnitus?

Does sound therapy help soothe tinnitus?

What should you not do with tinnitus?

Can tinnitus go away?

What is the main cause of tinnitus?

Can stress cause tinnitus?

Is tinnitus a disability?

Can tinnitus cause dizziness?

Why is my tinnitus worse when I lay down?

Can ear wax cause tinnitus?

Will tinnitus improve after earwax removal?

*Research consistently shows that approximately 90% of people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss, even when that hearing loss is not immediately apparent to the individual. Hearing loss is therefore considered the single most common factor associated with tinnitus. https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/projects/gwas-of-tinnitus-and-hearing-loss-in-the-general-population-with-emphasis-on-noise-exposure-and-aging/, https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/hearing-loss-tinnitus-statistics/, https://tinnitus.org.uk/understanding-tinnitus/living-with-tinnitus/tinnitus-and-hearing-loss/