Tinnitus is the medical term for “hearing” noises in your ears. It occurs when there is no outside source of the sounds.

Tinnitus is often called “ringing in the ears” but it can also sound like blowing, roaring, buzzing, hissing, humming, whistling or sizzling.

Tinnitus is common. According to the American Tinnitus Association more than 45 million Americans experience tinnitus, approximately 20 million people struggle with burdensome tinnitus, and 2 million have debilitating cases.

Tinnitus Causes

It is not known exactly what causes a person to “hear” sounds with no outside source of the noise. However, tinnitus can be a symptom of almost any ear problem, including:

Tinnitus Diagnosis

Your health care provider may order the following tests:

Tinnitus Treatment

If the cause of your tinnitus is known, fixing that problem (such as removing wax from your ear or treating the ear infection) may make the tinnitus go away.

Some medications can help relieve symptoms, but no drug works for everyone. 

Make an Appointment

If you would like to schedule an appointment we request that you complete the following questionnaires and return them to:

Audiology
Medical Center Blvd
Winston-Salem, NC 27157

Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire

Tinnitus History Questionnaire