Tinnitus is often most noticeable when you are quiet and trying to get off to sleep. If you play a radio or stereo it can help to mask the tinnitus noise until you drop off to sleep. This disorder can occur in one or both ears, range in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and may be continuous or sporadic. Tinnitus is a symptom associated with many forms of hearing loss. It can also be a symptom of other health problems. Tinnitus is the perception of noise in the ear or head, which is generated inside the body rather than coming from outside. Tinnitus is usually only heard by the person with the condition, but in a very few rare cases it can also be heard by other people. Tinnitus can be managed with some lifestyle changes. Avoiding stress, fatigue and loud noise can help.

Tinnitus is a symptom associated with many forms of hearing loss. It can also be a symptom of other health problems. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of stiffening of the middle ear bones (otosclerosis). Tinnitus can be very mild in loudness and only noticeable in a quiet room/bedtime or it can become extremely loud and annoying to the point where the sufferer hears nothing else. It can be present all of the time, can be intermittent, and/or pulsing. Tinnitus may also occur with disorders outside the ears, including anemia, heart and blood vessel disorders such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis, an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), and head injury. Tinnitus that is only in one ear or that pulsates is a more serious sign. Tinnitus loudness measurements indicate that some persons with very loud tinnitus tolerate it very well, while others with a mild tinnitus claim to be on the verge of suicide if the tinnitus can't be controlled. Although it is often assumed that tinnitus occurs as a result of disease of the ears, this is often not the cause.