Tinnitus at a glance
A perception, not a “noise”
Often linked to auditory processing and the brain’s threat and attention systems.
Can fluctuate
Often changes with stress, fatigue, silence, illness, and attention.
Know red flags
A small set of symptoms needs urgent assessment.
This page is educational. If symptoms are new, changing quickly, or you are worried, seek personalised medical advice.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is when you hear sound without an external source. It may be in one ear, both ears, or feel like it is “in your head”. It can follow noise exposure, ear infections, stress, jaw tension, neck tension, or appear without a clear trigger.
Importantly, tinnitus is often maintained by attention and threat responses. The sound itself is only part of the experience; how the brain labels it (safe vs dangerous) strongly shapes how intrusive it feels.
Why can tinnitus persist?
Attention and threat tagging
When tinnitus is labelled as a threat, the brain prioritises it. This increases monitoring and makes the sound feel louder and more present. Over time, the goal is habituation - the brain learning “this is safe” so it fades into the background.
Learn more in prediction, danger and safety.
Stress, sleep and sensitisation
Stress and poor sleep can increase nervous system sensitivity and make tinnitus more intrusive. Silence can also amplify perception. Many people notice that symptoms fluctuate with fatigue, anxiety, illness, jaw tension, or neck tension.
How long does tinnitus last?
For some people, tinnitus settles over weeks. For others, it persists but becomes less intrusive as the brain habituates. The key outcome is not always “silence”, but reduced threat, less monitoring, and better quality of life.
If tinnitus is new or changing, it is worth getting it checked to rule out treatable causes.
When should I worry about tinnitus?
Seek medical assessment urgently if tinnitus occurs with any of the following:
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
- Severe dizziness or vertigo, especially with vomiting
- One-sided tinnitus that is persistent and new, especially with hearing changes
- Pulsatile tinnitus (sounds like a heartbeat) that is new or worsening
- Neurological symptoms such as weakness, facial droop, confusion, or severe headache
If you are unsure, it is reasonable to speak with a clinician. This page is educational and does not replace personalised medical advice.
What helps with tinnitus?
What helps most people
- Sound enrichment: reduce silence with gentle background sound (especially at night).
- Reduce monitoring: the more you check, the more the brain tags it as important.
- Sleep and stress support: nervous system load strongly affects intrusiveness.
- Hearing support: hearing checks and guidance can make a big difference.
If you feel stuck or panicky
If tinnitus feels terrifying, the priority is reducing threat. Calming the nervous system, reframing the meaning of the sound, and building habituation can reduce distress dramatically. Many people benefit from structured support rather than trying to “fix it” alone.
Explore self-guided tools and practices and flare-ups, patterns and triggers.
Common questions about tinnitus
Does tinnitus mean something is seriously wrong?
Often no. Tinnitus is common and frequently not dangerous. What matters is checking for red flags and treatable causes, then reducing threat and improving habituation.
Why is tinnitus worse at night?
In quiet environments the brain detects the sound more easily, and attention increases. Gentle background sound and calming routines can reduce intrusiveness.
What should I do next if I am stuck?
Start with a hearing and medical check if tinnitus is new or changing. Then focus on lowering threat, reducing monitoring, improving sleep and stress support, and using habituation-friendly strategies. Neurowaze can help you find a practitioner who understands persistent symptom patterns.
Clinical note
Tinnitus can have many causes and contributors. A hearing assessment and medical review are appropriate when tinnitus is new, unilateral, pulsatile, or associated with hearing loss or dizziness. This page is educational and does not diagnose.