Tinnitus symptoms

The tinnitus symptoms in the perception of the affected persons

Ear sounds can be heard in one or both ears. Many affected people only perceive the sounds when the surroundings are very quiet or they concentrate on them.

Since only those affected can perceive the tinnitus symptoms themselves, they have to describe the sounds if they want to make their problem understandable to others. Comparisons with known sounds are helpful.

Common tinnitus symptoms at a glance

Two thirds of those affected hear sounds in the high frequency range. Here are the most common descriptions of ear noises and tinnitus symptoms:

"Whistling" in the ear resembles the whistling sound of a kettle.
Affected persons describe a sound as "beeping" as it used to be transmitted by television stations with the test pattern.
The term "ringing" refers to a sound reminiscent of classic alarm clocks or telephones.
"Chirping" is similar to the sound of chirping crickets.
"Fizzling" sounds like the opening of a sparkling water bottle.
Tinnitus is rarely perceived in this way:
"Hissing" is usually compared by sufferers with strong wind noises or a flying kite.
"Buzzing" reminds those affected of the sound of mosquitoes flying past their ear.
"Cracking" in the ear sounds like breaking dry twigs.
"Crackling" is often compared to the sound of crackling paper or the sound of a blazing fire.
Sometimes people also compare their tinnitus symptoms with the sound of an engine, hammering or microphone feedback.