Imagine being in a silent room that’s somehow not silent at all.
There’s a ringing. Or a buzzing. Maybe a high-pitched tone you can’t quite place. On a good day, it fades to the background. On a bad day, it takes over. And what makes it harder to explain to anyone else — no one else can hear it.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Tinnitus is one of the most common hearing-related experiences in Australia, and help is available. Ear Science Institute Australia is a leader in hearing and balance research, and through its Lions Hearing Clinic offers expert support to people living with tinnitus.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, humming or other sounds in the ears when no external sound is present.
It’s common — research involving Western Australian adults found that around one in five people experience tinnitus, with prevalence increasing with age. For some people it’s a mild annoyance; for others, it can affect sleep, concentration and daily wellbeing.
Tinnitus is not a disease in itself — it’s a symptom. It often indicates something else is happening in the auditory system, such as hearing loss or changes in how the ear or brain processes sound.
Types and causes of tinnitus
The most common type is subjective tinnitus, which can only be heard by the person experiencing it. Less common is objective tinnitus, where sounds originate from vascular or muscular activity and can sometimes be detected with specialised equipment.
The sounds vary from person to person — some hear ringing, others buzzing, humming or whooshing. It may be constant or come and go, and can affect one or both ears. Tinnitus can have many causes, which is partly why it affects people so differently. Common ones include:
- Exposure to loud sounds such as concerts, machinery or headphones
- Age-related hearing loss
- Earwax build-up
- Ear infections or fluid in the middle ear
- Certain medications such as some antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs
- Jaw or neck issues that affect the ear’s nerves and muscles
- Stress and anxiety, which can heighten your awareness of sound
In some cases, subtle changes in auditory processing may be present that standard hearing tests don’t capture, and in others no clear cause is identified at all. This is why a proper assessment by an audiologist is important — they can help determine what’s contributing to your tinnitus and what to do next.
Diagnosing tinnitus
Diagnosing tinnitus starts with a hearing assessment — a thorough evaluation of your hearing performed by an audiologist or hearing care specialist.
The assessment will help determine whether any hearing loss is conductive (related to the outer or middle ear), sensorineural (related to the inner ear or auditory nerve), or a mix of both. This shapes the treatment plan.
- During your hearing assessment, an audiologist may:
- Discuss your hearing history and any symptoms you’ve noticed.
- Examine your ear canal and eardrum to check for blockages or damage. This is called an otoscopy.
- Perform a hearing test to assess your hearing levels across different pitches and speech.
- Ask about your general health and lifestyle.
Treatment and support
Lions Hearing Clinics provide thorough assessments in a calm, supportive setting where you will have the opportunity to ask questions along the way and understand what comes next.
Because tinnitus varies so much between individuals, there is no single treatment that works for everyone — and currently no cure. However, there are several approaches with a strong evidence base that can significantly reduce its impact:
- Sound therapy – using background noise or specialised devices to mask the ringing and help the brain tune it out
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – helping you change the way you respond to tinnitus, reducing stress and improving quality of life
- Hearing aids – amplifying everyday sounds can help mask tinnitus, especially if hearing loss is present
- Lifestyle strategies – reducing stress, improving sleep, and staying socially connected can lessen the perception of tinnitus
The goal of treatment is to help you live well with tinnitus — not necessarily to eliminate the sound completely.
Researchers around the world, including at Ear Science Institute Australia, are investigating new approaches to tinnitus management. While still developing, several show real promise:
- Neuromodulation devices – wearable devices that use gentle electrical or sound stimulation to retrain the brain’s response to tinnitus
- Biometric tracking – using data like heart rate and stress levels to personalise treatment
- Pharmacological research – studies investigating medicines that could reduce nerve activity linked to tinnitus
These treatments are not yet widely available, but the research is progressing. Ear Science Institute Australia is part of this global effort, working to ensure that advances in the science translate into real care options.
When should you get your ears checked?
If you’ve noticed ringing, buzzing or humming that won’t go away — or that’s making it harder to sleep, concentrate or feel like yourself — it’s worth getting your hearing checked sooner rather than later.
- You notice ringing or buzzing that lasts more than a week
- Your tinnitus is getting louder or more frequent
- If it affects your sleep, concentration or mood
- You also notice hearing loss or dizziness
Lions Hearing Clinic can assess your hearing and guide you on next steps. Early support makes a real difference.
Tinnitus can affect concentration, sleep and overall wellbeing, but with the right assessment and support, it can often be managed effectively.
If tinnitus is affecting your hearing, wellbeing or quality of life, a comprehensive assessment can help identify what may be contributing to it and which treatment approaches are most appropriate. Through Lions Hearing Clinic, Ear Science Institute Australia offers expert tinnitus assessment and personalised care informed by leading research.
