Approximately 25 million people experience tinnitus, a neurological condition that causes them to hear a noise that has no external source, i.e., a noise that is not there. Tinnitus can be a frustrating condition, as the sound is distracting and even debilitating for some. Additionally, many people struggle to describe what precisely their tinnitus sounds like, making it more challenging to discuss with a healthcare professional.
Some Possible Tinnitus Sounds
If you also hear phantom sounds but can’t define what precisely they sound like, we’ve compiled a list of common descriptors. Read this list carefully and see if any of them resonate with what you hear in your ears:
- High-pitched beep, like a digital alarm
- Whistle, like a tea kettle
- Buzz, like a cicada
- Static, like a radio
- Whoosh, like a waterfall
- Screech, like a train’s brakes
- Purr, like an electric motor
- Hiss, like a snake
- Roar, like an airplane
This list is not exhaustive; your tinnitus might sound close to one of these, but not precisely, or it may sound like something else entirely. The goal is for you to find a word or words that at least approximates what your tinnitus sounds like. Naming something helps us determine what it is.
Why Identifying Your Tinnitus Sounds Helps
Tinnitus is not itself a condition; it’s a symptom of another underlying condition, such as a head injury, hearing damage or a cardiovascular condition, to name a few. Sometimes, identifying the sound of tinnitus can help an audiologist determine the underlying condition causing your tinnitus, thus making a management plan for tinnitus possible.
For example, suppose your tinnitus is a whooshing sound that is in time with your heartbeat. In that case, your audiologist can pinpoint it as pulsatile tinnitus, which is a good indicator that the cause is related to blood flow or cardiovascular health.
Managing Tinnitus
By identifying what your tinnitus sounds like and reviewing your medical history with an audiologist, you make it possible to begin relieving your symptoms with a personalized tinnitus management strategy. Assessing your tinnitus is a big first step in managing the condition.
If you’re ready to begin managing your tinnitus, call Certified Hearing Aid Consultants. We will help you schedule a tinnitus evaluation with our expert team.