UNDERSTANDING TINNITUS
What is tinnitus?
Types, causes & your next steps.
Tinnitus is hearing sound without an outside sound source. It may come and go or stay with you, in one ear, both ears or your head. Understanding it is a helpful first step.
The sound alone does not tell us its cause. Health NZ ↗
01 / TYPES OF TINNITUS
Different ways to describe the sound.
THE MOST COMMON FORM
Subjective tinnitus
Only you can hear it. It is often linked with changes in hearing and how the brain processes sound. The experience is real, even though others cannot hear it.
AN UNCOMMON FORM
Objective tinnitus
Sound arises from activity inside the body, such as blood flow or muscle movement. A clinician may sometimes hear it during an examination.
These terms describe whether another person can detect the sound. NZ Audiological Society ↗
Pulsatile tinnitus
A pulsing or whooshing sound, often in time with your heartbeat. It can be subjective or objective and needs medical assessment to investigate its cause.
Somatosensory tinnitus
The sound may change with jaw or neck movement. Jaw-joint or neck-related factors may contribute; tell your clinician if movement changes what you hear.
02 / POSSIBLE CAUSES & CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Why might tinnitus happen?
Sometimes there is a treatable cause; sometimes no single cause is found. Your symptoms, hearing results and medical history help guide assessment.
Hearing changes and noise exposure
Tinnitus commonly accompanies hearing loss, including changes related to ageing or loud sound. You may have hearing changes even if everyday conversation still seems clear.
Earwax, infection and middle-ear problems
A blocked ear canal, an ear infection or middle-ear fluid can affect hearing and be associated with tinnitus. An ear examination helps identify these problems.
Medicines
Some medicines can cause or worsen tinnitus, depending on the medicine and dose. Ask your GP or pharmacist to review any concerns. Do not stop prescribed medication without advice.
Jaw and neck factors
Jaw-joint problems, clenching or a neck injury can sometimes contribute. Mention any pain, injury or change in tinnitus with movement.
Less common medical causes
Ménière’s disease, blood-vessel conditions and, rarely, a vestibular schwannoma can be associated with tinnitus. Further investigation depends on your symptoms and assessment, rather than the sound alone.
Stress, sleep and attention
Stress and poor sleep can make tinnitus harder to manage. This does not mean you are imagining it. Support can address both hearing and wellbeing.
Causes and contributing factors: NIH / NIDCD ↗ · Health NZ ↗
03 / FINDING THE RIGHT SUPPORT
What can an assessment tell you?
We’ll listen to your concerns, ask about the sound and its impact, and assess your hearing. We can explain your results, discuss support and advise whether medical or ENT review is needed.
Sudden hearing loss needs urgent medical assessment.
If your hearing changes suddenly, seek urgent medical care. Tinnitus in time with your heartbeat, or persistent tinnitus in one ear, also needs clinical review.
Assessment and referral: NZ Audiological Society ↗ · bpacnz ↗
Talk to us about an assessment ↗YOUR NEXT STEP
Find ways to live well with tinnitus.
Explore practical ideas for managing stress, finding calm and making tinnitus less disruptive to everyday life.
Explore Living with Tinnitus →Further reading
Educational information, not an individual diagnosis. The sources below inform this draft; they do not imply endorsement of Natural Hearing.