Tinnitus is the medical term for a noise which is heard in the head or ears, that does not come from an outside source.

It’s often described as a ‘ringing in the ears’, but it can be experienced in other ways, like a buzzing or hissing sound, waves or even cicadas.

The sounds caused by tinnitus can be faint or loud, occasional or constant, steady or pulsing, and range from not bothersome to very annoying. It’s often more noticeable at night or when it’s quiet, and can be more of a problem when you are tired or stressed.