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What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the experience of hearing a sound — often a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming — when there is no matching sound in your surroundings. It is a symptom rather than a disease, and it is very common: large population studies estimate that roughly one in seven adults experiences some tinnitus, and a smaller group find it bothersome.

Tinnitus can have many associations, including noise exposure, age-related changes in hearing, ear infections, certain medications, and stress. Because the causes vary, a hearing professional is the right first stop — especially if your tinnitus is new, one-sided, pulsing, or comes with hearing loss or dizziness.

Many people find that what bothers them is not the sound itself but how much attention it takes. Approaches that help people cope often combine learning about tinnitus, managing stress and sleep, and using gentle background sound so the environment is never completely silent — the idea behind sound enrichment.

General information, not medical advice. Lulltide is a wellness product, not a medical device. For diagnosis or care, please see an audiologist or doctor.