well, that depends..

what do you do during the day?
have you experiened hearing damage before?
do you have any family history of hearing loss?
how long has this been going on?

No problem in family, work in quiet office

Tinnitus is common and can be a symptom of almost any ear problem, including ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the ear, and injury from loud noises. Alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, aspirin, or other drugs can also cause ear noises.

Diagnostic tests include:
* Audiology/audiometry to test hearing loss
* Head CT scan
* Head MRI scan
* Blood vessel studies (angiography)
* X-rays of the head'

I'd suggest you check out the link above, and then seek help from an ENT specialist to discuss diagnosis and treatment plans. In the meantime, you can learn ways to relax, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking and be sure to get enough rest. Does this help?

I have had tinnitus for so long I can’t remember when it started. For many years I tried to find an answer. I had all the test done that rooted mentioned. All tests normal besides a cyst in my sinuses found in MRI.

My hearing test came back as super sensitive. The hearing is way to perfect. I can hear dog whistles and small metal objects being dropped from across the house. The sound of a heavy duty metal chain being handled is very painful.

The (I guess it’s called) pressure test in audiology did show signs of microscopic damage to the ear. All I know is they plug your ears up and your ear fills with pressure. After that the computer shows two lines that look like a stock timeline chart.

The ringing/buzzing is probably going on 24/7. You just don’t notice it until you are in a quiet room. Which is usualy in the evening getting ready for bed? For me the ringing/buzzing is louder some nights than others. It can keep me awake. I wake many times during the night. I hate being in quiet areas or where high pitched sounds will occur. I can’t stand the sound of a hundred or so people talking at the same time. Turn on a CRT TV/Monitor and I can hear it squealing. A flash in a camera charging is also irritating. I can’t determine what makes it louder some nights.

So this is where I am at with it now. Sleeping an issue? Turn on a fan or get one of those sound generators (the ones with waterfalls, birds chirping, rain, etc....) That will help out a bit. Concentration an issue? I have not figured that one out yet. Through the VA I am trying out a new to the US treatment for this issue. Not even a year old in US yet. The Aussies have had it for awhile. It is called "Neuromonics tinnitus treatment" It is not a for sure cure to make it go away all together. It is intended to make it manageable. It seems to be helping a bit. Unfortunately for people like me there is no cure.

With all that said it is important to know that some medical issues can cause ringing. Mainly things having to do with the head (everything about it) and brain. That’s why it is important to get those tests. You are more than likely to end up like me. No medical issue causing the problem and no cure. When talking with a GP Doctor stress the fact that your ears are not in pain you just hear buzzing. For some reason they like to think it causes pain. When you get to the audiologist they will know exactly what you are talking about. There are even doctors that only deal with tinnitus. My doctor is one of those.

Interesting fact I discovered. 9 times out of 10 people with ringing/buzzing in the ears also have ADD/ADHD or bipolar.

Good luck

-Del

Hi Del,

The symptoms you mention are very specific and would also explain why I hear things my husband does not. Thanks for the reference to an audiologist. That's helpful.