

otosclerosis – an inherited condition where an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear causes hearing loss.Ménière's disease– a condition that also causes hearing loss and vertigo (a spinning sensation).glue ear - a build-up of fluid in the middle ear.inner ear damage caused by repeated exposure to loud noises.Tinnitus can be caused by the following including: It's not clear exactly why it happens, but it often occurs along with some degree of hearing loss. Tinnitus can develop gradually over time or occur suddenly. If necessary, your GP can refer you to a hospital specialist for further tests and treatment. They can also do some simple checks to see if you have any hearing loss. They can examine your ears to see if the problem might be caused by a condition they could easily treat, such as an ear infection or earwax build-up. You should also see your GP if your tinnitus is mainly in one ear or if it is pulsatile (see above). You should see your GP if you have continuous or frequent tinnitus that you find annoying. This is to see if an underlying cause can be found and treated, and to help you find ways to cope with the problem. But it's important to seek medical advice. In many cases, tinnitus will get better gradually over time. Severe cases can be very distressing, affect concentration, and cause problems such as difficulty sleeping ( insomnia) and depression. However, it can sometimes be continuous and have a significant impact on everyday life. For some people it may come and go and only be a minor irritation. Tinnitus is rarely a sign of a serious underlying condition. You may also notice that your hearing is not as good as it used to be or you're more sensitive to everyday sounds ( hyperacusis). Sometimes, people may hear noises that beat in time with their pulse (pulsatile tinnitus). However, many different sounds can be heard, including:

Tinnitus is often described as "ringing in the ears".

If you experience tinnitus that persists or is recurring, you should seek advice from your GP. Tinnitus is the term for hearing sounds that come from inside your head, when there is no sound externally.
