🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 138 (from laksa142)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa138.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://thewell.northwell.edu/chronic-diseases-conditions/what-causes-ringing-in-ear\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://thewell.northwell.edu/chronic-diseases-conditions/what-causes-ringing-in-ear\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear","crawl_time":1774085602,"first_indexed_time":1678566040,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"edu,northwell!thewell,\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear s443","src_root_hash":"15053446874383013538","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What Causes Ringing In Ear? | The Well by Northwell","meta_descriptions":["If you hear a constant ringing noise, it might be tinnitus. Here, a doctor explains where the sound might be coming from and how to treat it."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Have you ever heard a ringing in your ears and thought, “Oh, someone’s thinking of me,” only for the sound to dissipate a moment later? Perhaps you’ve left a concert, only to hear a faint ringing or echo that persists on your walk back to the car. Or maybe you can sometimes hear what sounds like the gentle crashing of ocean waves—even when you’re nowhere near the water? If so, you’ve experienced what’s called tinnitus.\n“It’s actually very common,” explains\nMaja Svrakic, MD,\nan otolaryngologist with Northwell Health. “We actually don’t really know why it happens, but it’s a part of normal physiology … like when your eye muscle twitches every now and then.”\nBy way of explanation, Svrakic says that tinnitus is any sound you hear that you’re not expecting or wanting to hear—and\/or one that sounds different from other natural or ambient sounds. What’s more, she points out that most people experience the sensation at some point in their lives.\nYet, in fact, for 15% to 20% of the population—typically older adults—tinnitus is more than a passing sound. It may be an ever-present nuisance and distraction, perceived as whooshing, hissing, humming, buzzing, or ringing.\n“You hear it for hours or days,” Svrakic says. “Some people constantly hear it.”\nTypes of tinnitus\nTypically, tinnitus is classified as being either subjective or objective. With subjective tinnitus, only the person who hears it can perceive the sound, whereas with objective tinnitus, a doctor can hear the sounds when examining the patient.\nFurther, tinnitus sounds are classified into two categories: tonal or pulsatile. Tonal tinnitus is a steady sound, while pulsatile is a sound that gets louder and softer, like a heartbeat.\n“The most common kind of tinnitus that I see is in older people, and it is usually a tonal type of tinnitus, like a high-frequency sound or a hissing sound that they hear all the time,” Svrakic says.\nSome people with tinnitus hear unwanted sounds in one ear; others hear them in both ears.\nLike what you’re reading? Subscribe to our newsletter and get the same great content delivered straight to your inbox!\nBy providing your email address, you agree to receive email communication from The Well.\nCauses of tinnitus\n“The most common cause, by overwhelming majority, is going to be an early sign of high-frequency hearing loss,” Svrakic says. “That is basically 95% of patients.”\nStill, some people with ear or other upper respiratory infections may also experience short-lived tinnitus. This is because short-lived viruses like a cold or the flu cause fluid accumulation in the ear, affecting how sound travels. Even ear wax can cause tinnitus if it moves around in such a way to block wound waves from coming into the ear. Tinnitus as a result of infections or wax—generally only lasts about as long as the condition or illness.\nWhat’s more, sometimes certain anti-cholesterol medications or antibiotics may cause tinnitus, along with exposure to loud noise—such as a rock concert—which may cause tinnitus for a few days. (However, exposure to loud noise daily through your career may contribute to long-term tinnitus.)\n“Loud noise exposure actually causes hearing loss at specific frequencies,” Svrakic says, which may contribute to tinnitus issues later on.\nHow tinnitus is diagnosed\nDoctors can often diagnose tinnitus caused by hearing loss through hearing tests. Here, a provider plays the tonal notes of a rising scale, hitting higher and higher notes at different volumes to assess what range of hearing a person possesses.\n“Hearing loss is defined as needing a sound to be louder than 30 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “If they need a decibel level to be greater than 30 decibels, that defines hearing loss in that frequency.”\nStill, some people with tinnitus\ncan\nhear all frequencies at levels lower than 30 decibels. However, in these cases, a hearing test may reveal that they’re just having difficulty with higher-frequency sounds.\n“So, for example, for low-frequency sounds, they can hear at 10 to 20 decibels, but for higher-frequency sounds, they’ll need 25 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “It’s not technically defined as hearing loss, but you need a louder sound presented in order to hear it.”\nAs part of a tinnitus evaluation, doctors may offer a tinnitus pitch match and a volume match. This helps doctors understand what their patients are hearing and how it affects them.\n“I also do a tinnitus handicap inventory, because it’s important for me to know how much it’s bothering the patient,” Svrakic says. “If the tinnitus is there but it doesn’t bother them, there’s no need to treat it. But if the tinnitus is there and it bothers them, then I want to know: How much does it bother them? And how does it affect your work? Are you able to maintain social relationships?”\nTreatments for tinnitus\nWhen tinnitus\ndoes\nprove bothersome, people will often report having difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or having meaningful interactions as a result of their condition. Fortunately, treatments are effective for many people.\nAnd, fortunately, in the cases where tinnitus stems from hearing loss, finding relief may be as simple as picking up a pair of\nhearing aids\n. These devices can help to mask the bothersome sounds and improve overall hearing.\nSpecific and non-specific sound therapy are two other effective options.\n“Nonspecific sound therapy is not specific to the type of tinnitus that you have; it just is there to mask the tinnitus or distract you from the tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “That could be a conversation with a friend to distract you, as a distraction therapy, or it can be a masking therapy where you’re playing a sound that’s loud enough to mask the tinnitus,” such as whooshing sounds, ocean sounds, or white-noise sounds.\nSpecific sound therapy is intended to alter your neural network’s perception of sound and may be curative for those who follow through on therapy for two hours per day for a year.\n“They will take out the frequency of your tinnitus from your music files, so now you’re listening to the modified version that doesn’t contain the frequency of your tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “It basically tricks your brain and makes the neural networks of the brain fire differently.”\nOther sufferers may also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps them adjust to their tinnitus so that it bothers them less.\n“In analyzing ‘Why does it bother you?’ they’re having you do coping strategies,” Svrakic says. “And just measuring your tinnitus handicap and talking about it actually lowers your perceived handicap.”\nIf you have a constant, bothersome ringing or buzzing in your ears, meet with your doctor to check it out. You don’t have to live with tinnitus.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear#main-content)\n\n[![The Well logo](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/themes\/custom\/thewell_digital_design_system\/thewell-dds\/images\/thewell-logo.png)](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/)\n\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear)\n\n[Northwell.edu](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/) [SearchSearch]()\n\n[Main menu]()\n\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear)\n\n- Topics\n- [Trending](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/trending)\n- [Our Picks](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/our-picks)\n- [About](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/about-well)\n\n#### 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[Topics](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear#accordioncollapse1)\n[Aging](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/aging) [Caregiving](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/caregiving)  [Chronic Diseases\/Conditions](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/chronic-diseases-conditions) [Covid](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/covid) [Emotional Wellness](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/emotional-wellness) [Fertility](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/fertility)  [Healthy Living\/Fitness](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/healthy-living-fitness) [Men's Health](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/mens-health) [Parenting](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/parenting) [Pregnancy](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/pregnancy) [Relationships\/Sexual Health](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/relationships-sexual-health) [Women’s Health](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/womens-health)\n\nTrending Topics\n\n[Covid](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/covid)\n\n[Aging](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/aging)\n\n[Parenting](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/parenting)\n\n[Healthy Living\/Fitness](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/healthy-living-fitness)\n\n[Relationships\/Sexual Health](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/relationships-sexual-health)\n\n[Women's Health](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/womens-health)\n#### [Trending](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/trending)\n#### [Our Picks](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/our-picks)\n#### [About](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/about-well)\n\n[Northwell.edu](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/)\n\n[![The Well logo](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/themes\/custom\/thewell_digital_design_system\/thewell-dds\/images\/thewell-logo.png)](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/)\n\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear)\n\n[Northwell.edu](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/)\n\n[SearchSearch]()\n\n![](https:\/\/dam.northwell.edu\/m\/7c2564eb7ea6ada4\/Drupal-TheWell_all-about-tinnitus_AS_245201266.jpg)\n\n[chronic diseases\/conditions](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/chronic-diseases-conditions)\n\n# What’s That Ringing In My Ears?\nA doctor explains where the sound might be coming from and how to treat it.\n\n6 min read\n\nBy\n\nLisa Fields, Writer\n\nHave you ever heard a ringing in your ears and thought, “Oh, someone’s thinking of me,” only for the sound to dissipate a moment later? Perhaps you’ve left a concert, only to hear a faint ringing or echo that persists on your walk back to the car. Or maybe you can sometimes hear what sounds like the gentle crashing of ocean waves—even when you’re nowhere near the water? If so, you’ve experienced what’s called tinnitus.\n\n“It’s actually very common,” explains [Maja Svrakic, MD,](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/find-care\/find-a-doctor\/neurotology\/dr-maja-svrakic-md-11367286) an otolaryngologist with Northwell Health. “We actually don’t really know why it happens, but it’s a part of normal physiology … like when your eye muscle twitches every now and then.”\n\nBy way of explanation, Svrakic says that tinnitus is any sound you hear that you’re not expecting or wanting to hear—and\/or one that sounds different from other natural or ambient sounds. What’s more, she points out that most people experience the sensation at some point in their lives.\n\nYet, in fact, for 15% to 20% of the population—typically older adults—tinnitus is more than a passing sound. It may be an ever-present nuisance and distraction, perceived as whooshing, hissing, humming, buzzing, or ringing.\n\n“You hear it for hours or days,” Svrakic says. “Some people constantly hear it.”\n\n### Types of tinnitus\nTypically, tinnitus is classified as being either subjective or objective. With subjective tinnitus, only the person who hears it can perceive the sound, whereas with objective tinnitus, a doctor can hear the sounds when examining the patient.\n\nFurther, tinnitus sounds are classified into two categories: tonal or pulsatile. Tonal tinnitus is a steady sound, while pulsatile is a sound that gets louder and softer, like a heartbeat.\n\n“The most common kind of tinnitus that I see is in older people, and it is usually a tonal type of tinnitus, like a high-frequency sound or a hissing sound that they hear all the time,” Svrakic says.\n\nSome people with tinnitus hear unwanted sounds in one ear; others hear them in both ears.\n\n***\n### Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our newsletter and get the same great content delivered straight to your inbox\\!\nBy providing your email address, you agree to receive email communication from The Well.\n***\n\n### Causes of tinnitus\n“The most common cause, by overwhelming majority, is going to be an early sign of high-frequency hearing loss,” Svrakic says. “That is basically 95% of patients.”\n\nStill, some people with ear or other upper respiratory infections may also experience short-lived tinnitus. This is because short-lived viruses like a cold or the flu cause fluid accumulation in the ear, affecting how sound travels. Even ear wax can cause tinnitus if it moves around in such a way to block wound waves from coming into the ear. Tinnitus as a result of infections or wax—generally only lasts about as long as the condition or illness.\n\nWhat’s more, sometimes certain anti-cholesterol medications or antibiotics may cause tinnitus, along with exposure to loud noise—such as a rock concert—which may cause tinnitus for a few days. (However, exposure to loud noise daily through your career may contribute to long-term tinnitus.)\n\n“Loud noise exposure actually causes hearing loss at specific frequencies,” Svrakic says, which may contribute to tinnitus issues later on.\n\n### How tinnitus is diagnosed\nDoctors can often diagnose tinnitus caused by hearing loss through hearing tests. Here, a provider plays the tonal notes of a rising scale, hitting higher and higher notes at different volumes to assess what range of hearing a person possesses.\n\n“Hearing loss is defined as needing a sound to be louder than 30 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “If they need a decibel level to be greater than 30 decibels, that defines hearing loss in that frequency.”\n\nStill, some people with tinnitus *can* hear all frequencies at levels lower than 30 decibels. However, in these cases, a hearing test may reveal that they’re just having difficulty with higher-frequency sounds.\n\n“So, for example, for low-frequency sounds, they can hear at 10 to 20 decibels, but for higher-frequency sounds, they’ll need 25 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “It’s not technically defined as hearing loss, but you need a louder sound presented in order to hear it.”\n\nAs part of a tinnitus evaluation, doctors may offer a tinnitus pitch match and a volume match. This helps doctors understand what their patients are hearing and how it affects them.\n\n“I also do a tinnitus handicap inventory, because it’s important for me to know how much it’s bothering the patient,” Svrakic says. “If the tinnitus is there but it doesn’t bother them, there’s no need to treat it. But if the tinnitus is there and it bothers them, then I want to know: How much does it bother them? And how does it affect your work? Are you able to maintain social relationships?”\n\n### Treatments for tinnitus\nWhen tinnitus *does* prove bothersome, people will often report having difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or having meaningful interactions as a result of their condition. Fortunately, treatments are effective for many people.\n\nAnd, fortunately, in the cases where tinnitus stems from hearing loss, finding relief may be as simple as picking up a pair of [hearing aids](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/aging\/types-of-hearing-aids). These devices can help to mask the bothersome sounds and improve overall hearing.\n\nSpecific and non-specific sound therapy are two other effective options.\n\n“Nonspecific sound therapy is not specific to the type of tinnitus that you have; it just is there to mask the tinnitus or distract you from the tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “That could be a conversation with a friend to distract you, as a distraction therapy, or it can be a masking therapy where you’re playing a sound that’s loud enough to mask the tinnitus,” such as whooshing sounds, ocean sounds, or white-noise sounds.\n\nSpecific sound therapy is intended to alter your neural network’s perception of sound and may be curative for those who follow through on therapy for two hours per day for a year.\n\n“They will take out the frequency of your tinnitus from your music files, so now you’re listening to the modified version that doesn’t contain the frequency of your tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “It basically tricks your brain and makes the neural networks of the brain fire differently.”\n\nOther sufferers may also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps them adjust to their tinnitus so that it bothers them less.\n\n“In analyzing ‘Why does it bother you?’ they’re having you do coping strategies,” Svrakic says. “And just measuring your tinnitus handicap and talking about it actually lowers your perceived handicap.”\n\nIf you have a constant, bothersome ringing or buzzing in your ears, meet with your doctor to check it out. You don’t have to live with tinnitus.\n\n### Next Steps and Useful Resources\n- Here’s [how to find relief when your ears need a refresh](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/healthy-living-fitness\/safe-ear-wax-removal).\n- [Why do I have so much earwax](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/healthy-living-fitness\/ear-wax-causes)?\n- If you find yourself wishing you had a volume button for your in-person conversations, it might be [time to get your hearing checked](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/aging\/hearing-loss-signs-causes).\n\nMarch 6th, 2023\n\nTags:\n\n[aging](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/search?tag=aging) [chronic conditions](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/search?tag=chronic-conditions) [treatment](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/search?tag=treatment)\n\n### Related Articles\n[![A man on a gambling site on his laptop.](https:\/\/dam.northwell.edu\/asset\/95cb85a2-d06c-42fe-b065-f22af2f30a5a\/Drupal\/TheWell_gambling_addiction_symptoms_AS_516263080.jpg)](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/why-gambling-is-addictive)\n\n[chronic diseases\/conditions](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/chronic-diseases-conditions)\n\n[Why Gambling Is Addictive And When It’s A Problem](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/why-gambling-is-addictive)\n\n[![A doctor examining a woman’s neck.](https:\/\/dam.northwell.edu\/asset\/8d41f936-f2b7-4b16-b15e-635f115a7fd2\/Drupal\/TheWell_thyroidproblem_AS_816591826.jpg)](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/thyroid-problem)\n\n[chronic diseases\/conditions](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/topics\/chronic-diseases-conditions)\n\n[Fatigue And Brain Fog? 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She is sitting on sofa at home.](https:\/\/dam.northwell.edu\/m\/2c384857c1de1f81\/Drupal-web_AdobeStock_352421745.jpg)\n\n### Sign Up For Our Well Weekly Newsletter\nFrom the latest tips on sleep and skin care to personal stories that’ll hit you in the feels, we’ve got you covered with all the good stuff.\n\n[Subscribe now](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/subscribe-well)\n\nMarch 6th, 2023\n\nTags:\n\n[aging](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/search?tag=aging) [chronic conditions](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/search?tag=chronic-conditions) [treatment](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/search?tag=treatment)\n\n[Back to top](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear#site-links)\n\n###\nThe Well by Northwell\n\nThe Well is Northwell Health’s commitment to the future of health care. In this time of information overabundance, much of which is inaccurate, unhelpful, or even difficult to understand, Northwell Health is on a mission to make a difference as an honest, trusted, and caring partner. The site connects with consumers to provide them with personalized content that reduces their stress, makes them laugh, and ultimately feel more confident and capable on their healthcare journey.\n\n[Quick links](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear)\n\n- [About](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/about-well)\n- [Contact The Well](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/contact-us)\n- [Subscribe now](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/subscribe-well)\n\n[Visit Northwell Heath on facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/northwellhealth)   [![](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/themes\/custom\/northwell_health_digital_design_system\/nwh-dds\/images\/fa-6-twitter-icon.svg) Visit Northwell Heath on Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/northwellhealth)   [Visit Northwell Heath on instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/northwellhealth\/)   [Visit Northwell Heath on linkedin](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/northwell-health\/)   [Visit Northwell Heath on youtube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/nslijhs)\n\n- [Visit Northwell.edu](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/)\n- [Find a doctor](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/find-care)\n- [Register for an event](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/support-and-resources\/find-an-event)\n- [About Northwell Health](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/about-northwell)\n\n[Request an appointment](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/find-care\/request-an-appointment)\n\n- [Privacy policies and disclaimers](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/privacy-policies-disclaimers?utm_medium=cta_link&utm_source=the_well&utm_campaign=the_well&utm_content=thewell_footer)\n\n- © Copyright 2026 Northwell Health\n\n[![Back to top](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/themes\/custom\/thewell_digital_design_system\/thewell-dds\/images\/icons\/src\/arrow-up.svg) Back to top](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/chronic-diseases-conditions\/what-causes-ringing-in-ear#site-links)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Have you ever heard a ringing in your ears and thought, “Oh, someone’s thinking of me,” only for the sound to dissipate a moment later? Perhaps you’ve left a concert, only to hear a faint ringing or echo that persists on your walk back to the car. Or maybe you can sometimes hear what sounds like the gentle crashing of ocean waves—even when you’re nowhere near the water? If so, you’ve experienced what’s called tinnitus.\n\n“It’s actually very common,” explains [Maja Svrakic, MD,](https:\/\/www.northwell.edu\/find-care\/find-a-doctor\/neurotology\/dr-maja-svrakic-md-11367286) an otolaryngologist with Northwell Health. “We actually don’t really know why it happens, but it’s a part of normal physiology … like when your eye muscle twitches every now and then.”\n\nBy way of explanation, Svrakic says that tinnitus is any sound you hear that you’re not expecting or wanting to hear—and\/or one that sounds different from other natural or ambient sounds. What’s more, she points out that most people experience the sensation at some point in their lives.\n\nYet, in fact, for 15% to 20% of the population—typically older adults—tinnitus is more than a passing sound. It may be an ever-present nuisance and distraction, perceived as whooshing, hissing, humming, buzzing, or ringing.\n\n“You hear it for hours or days,” Svrakic says. “Some people constantly hear it.”\n\n### Types of tinnitus\nTypically, tinnitus is classified as being either subjective or objective. With subjective tinnitus, only the person who hears it can perceive the sound, whereas with objective tinnitus, a doctor can hear the sounds when examining the patient.\n\nFurther, tinnitus sounds are classified into two categories: tonal or pulsatile. Tonal tinnitus is a steady sound, while pulsatile is a sound that gets louder and softer, like a heartbeat.\n\n“The most common kind of tinnitus that I see is in older people, and it is usually a tonal type of tinnitus, like a high-frequency sound or a hissing sound that they hear all the time,” Svrakic says.\n\nSome people with tinnitus hear unwanted sounds in one ear; others hear them in both ears.\n\n***\n### Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our newsletter and get the same great content delivered straight to your inbox\\!\nBy providing your email address, you agree to receive email communication from The Well.\n***\n\n### Causes of tinnitus\n“The most common cause, by overwhelming majority, is going to be an early sign of high-frequency hearing loss,” Svrakic says. “That is basically 95% of patients.”\n\nStill, some people with ear or other upper respiratory infections may also experience short-lived tinnitus. This is because short-lived viruses like a cold or the flu cause fluid accumulation in the ear, affecting how sound travels. Even ear wax can cause tinnitus if it moves around in such a way to block wound waves from coming into the ear. Tinnitus as a result of infections or wax—generally only lasts about as long as the condition or illness.\n\nWhat’s more, sometimes certain anti-cholesterol medications or antibiotics may cause tinnitus, along with exposure to loud noise—such as a rock concert—which may cause tinnitus for a few days. (However, exposure to loud noise daily through your career may contribute to long-term tinnitus.)\n\n“Loud noise exposure actually causes hearing loss at specific frequencies,” Svrakic says, which may contribute to tinnitus issues later on.\n\n### How tinnitus is diagnosed\nDoctors can often diagnose tinnitus caused by hearing loss through hearing tests. Here, a provider plays the tonal notes of a rising scale, hitting higher and higher notes at different volumes to assess what range of hearing a person possesses.\n\n“Hearing loss is defined as needing a sound to be louder than 30 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “If they need a decibel level to be greater than 30 decibels, that defines hearing loss in that frequency.”\n\nStill, some people with tinnitus *can* hear all frequencies at levels lower than 30 decibels. However, in these cases, a hearing test may reveal that they’re just having difficulty with higher-frequency sounds.\n\n“So, for example, for low-frequency sounds, they can hear at 10 to 20 decibels, but for higher-frequency sounds, they’ll need 25 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “It’s not technically defined as hearing loss, but you need a louder sound presented in order to hear it.”\n\nAs part of a tinnitus evaluation, doctors may offer a tinnitus pitch match and a volume match. This helps doctors understand what their patients are hearing and how it affects them.\n\n“I also do a tinnitus handicap inventory, because it’s important for me to know how much it’s bothering the patient,” Svrakic says. “If the tinnitus is there but it doesn’t bother them, there’s no need to treat it. But if the tinnitus is there and it bothers them, then I want to know: How much does it bother them? And how does it affect your work? Are you able to maintain social relationships?”\n\n### Treatments for tinnitus\nWhen tinnitus *does* prove bothersome, people will often report having difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or having meaningful interactions as a result of their condition. Fortunately, treatments are effective for many people.\n\nAnd, fortunately, in the cases where tinnitus stems from hearing loss, finding relief may be as simple as picking up a pair of [hearing aids](https:\/\/thewell.northwell.edu\/aging\/types-of-hearing-aids). These devices can help to mask the bothersome sounds and improve overall hearing.\n\nSpecific and non-specific sound therapy are two other effective options.\n\n“Nonspecific sound therapy is not specific to the type of tinnitus that you have; it just is there to mask the tinnitus or distract you from the tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “That could be a conversation with a friend to distract you, as a distraction therapy, or it can be a masking therapy where you’re playing a sound that’s loud enough to mask the tinnitus,” such as whooshing sounds, ocean sounds, or white-noise sounds.\n\nSpecific sound therapy is intended to alter your neural network’s perception of sound and may be curative for those who follow through on therapy for two hours per day for a year.\n\n“They will take out the frequency of your tinnitus from your music files, so now you’re listening to the modified version that doesn’t contain the frequency of your tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “It basically tricks your brain and makes the neural networks of the brain fire differently.”\n\nOther sufferers may also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps them adjust to their tinnitus so that it bothers them less.\n\n“In analyzing ‘Why does it bother you?’ they’re having you do coping strategies,” Svrakic says. “And just measuring your tinnitus handicap and talking about it actually lowers your perceived handicap.”\n\nIf you have a constant, bothersome ringing or buzzing in your ears, meet with your doctor to check it out. You don’t have to live with tinnitus.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	What Causes Ringing In Ear? \| The Well by Northwell
Meta Description	If you hear a constant ringing noise, it might be tinnitus. Here, a doctor explains where the sound might be coming from and how to treat it.
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Boilerpipe Text	Have you ever heard a ringing in your ears and thought, “Oh, someone’s thinking of me,” only for the sound to dissipate a moment later? Perhaps you’ve left a concert, only to hear a faint ringing or echo that persists on your walk back to the car. Or maybe you can sometimes hear what sounds like the gentle crashing of ocean waves—even when you’re nowhere near the water? If so, you’ve experienced what’s called tinnitus. “It’s actually very common,” explains Maja Svrakic, MD, an otolaryngologist with Northwell Health. “We actually don’t really know why it happens, but it’s a part of normal physiology … like when your eye muscle twitches every now and then.” By way of explanation, Svrakic says that tinnitus is any sound you hear that you’re not expecting or wanting to hear—and/or one that sounds different from other natural or ambient sounds. What’s more, she points out that most people experience the sensation at some point in their lives. Yet, in fact, for 15% to 20% of the population—typically older adults—tinnitus is more than a passing sound. It may be an ever-present nuisance and distraction, perceived as whooshing, hissing, humming, buzzing, or ringing. “You hear it for hours or days,” Svrakic says. “Some people constantly hear it.” Types of tinnitus Typically, tinnitus is classified as being either subjective or objective. With subjective tinnitus, only the person who hears it can perceive the sound, whereas with objective tinnitus, a doctor can hear the sounds when examining the patient. Further, tinnitus sounds are classified into two categories: tonal or pulsatile. Tonal tinnitus is a steady sound, while pulsatile is a sound that gets louder and softer, like a heartbeat. “The most common kind of tinnitus that I see is in older people, and it is usually a tonal type of tinnitus, like a high-frequency sound or a hissing sound that they hear all the time,” Svrakic says. Some people with tinnitus hear unwanted sounds in one ear; others hear them in both ears. Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our newsletter and get the same great content delivered straight to your inbox! By providing your email address, you agree to receive email communication from The Well. Causes of tinnitus “The most common cause, by overwhelming majority, is going to be an early sign of high-frequency hearing loss,” Svrakic says. “That is basically 95% of patients.” Still, some people with ear or other upper respiratory infections may also experience short-lived tinnitus. This is because short-lived viruses like a cold or the flu cause fluid accumulation in the ear, affecting how sound travels. Even ear wax can cause tinnitus if it moves around in such a way to block wound waves from coming into the ear. Tinnitus as a result of infections or wax—generally only lasts about as long as the condition or illness. What’s more, sometimes certain anti-cholesterol medications or antibiotics may cause tinnitus, along with exposure to loud noise—such as a rock concert—which may cause tinnitus for a few days. (However, exposure to loud noise daily through your career may contribute to long-term tinnitus.) “Loud noise exposure actually causes hearing loss at specific frequencies,” Svrakic says, which may contribute to tinnitus issues later on. How tinnitus is diagnosed Doctors can often diagnose tinnitus caused by hearing loss through hearing tests. Here, a provider plays the tonal notes of a rising scale, hitting higher and higher notes at different volumes to assess what range of hearing a person possesses. “Hearing loss is defined as needing a sound to be louder than 30 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “If they need a decibel level to be greater than 30 decibels, that defines hearing loss in that frequency.” Still, some people with tinnitus can hear all frequencies at levels lower than 30 decibels. However, in these cases, a hearing test may reveal that they’re just having difficulty with higher-frequency sounds. “So, for example, for low-frequency sounds, they can hear at 10 to 20 decibels, but for higher-frequency sounds, they’ll need 25 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “It’s not technically defined as hearing loss, but you need a louder sound presented in order to hear it.” As part of a tinnitus evaluation, doctors may offer a tinnitus pitch match and a volume match. This helps doctors understand what their patients are hearing and how it affects them. “I also do a tinnitus handicap inventory, because it’s important for me to know how much it’s bothering the patient,” Svrakic says. “If the tinnitus is there but it doesn’t bother them, there’s no need to treat it. But if the tinnitus is there and it bothers them, then I want to know: How much does it bother them? And how does it affect your work? Are you able to maintain social relationships?” Treatments for tinnitus When tinnitus does prove bothersome, people will often report having difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or having meaningful interactions as a result of their condition. Fortunately, treatments are effective for many people. And, fortunately, in the cases where tinnitus stems from hearing loss, finding relief may be as simple as picking up a pair of hearing aids . These devices can help to mask the bothersome sounds and improve overall hearing. Specific and non-specific sound therapy are two other effective options. “Nonspecific sound therapy is not specific to the type of tinnitus that you have; it just is there to mask the tinnitus or distract you from the tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “That could be a conversation with a friend to distract you, as a distraction therapy, or it can be a masking therapy where you’re playing a sound that’s loud enough to mask the tinnitus,” such as whooshing sounds, ocean sounds, or white-noise sounds. Specific sound therapy is intended to alter your neural network’s perception of sound and may be curative for those who follow through on therapy for two hours per day for a year. “They will take out the frequency of your tinnitus from your music files, so now you’re listening to the modified version that doesn’t contain the frequency of your tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “It basically tricks your brain and makes the neural networks of the brain fire differently.” Other sufferers may also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps them adjust to their tinnitus so that it bothers them less. “In analyzing ‘Why does it bother you?’ they’re having you do coping strategies,” Svrakic says. “And just measuring your tinnitus handicap and talking about it actually lowers your perceived handicap.” If you have a constant, bothersome ringing or buzzing in your ears, meet with your doctor to check it out. You don’t have to live with tinnitus.
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A doctor explains where the sound might be coming from and how to treat it. 6 min read By Lisa Fields, Writer Have you ever heard a ringing in your ears and thought, “Oh, someone’s thinking of me,” only for the sound to dissipate a moment later? Perhaps you’ve left a concert, only to hear a faint ringing or echo that persists on your walk back to the car. Or maybe you can sometimes hear what sounds like the gentle crashing of ocean waves—even when you’re nowhere near the water? If so, you’ve experienced what’s called tinnitus. “It’s actually very common,” explains [Maja Svrakic, MD,](https://www.northwell.edu/find-care/find-a-doctor/neurotology/dr-maja-svrakic-md-11367286) an otolaryngologist with Northwell Health. “We actually don’t really know why it happens, but it’s a part of normal physiology … like when your eye muscle twitches every now and then.” By way of explanation, Svrakic says that tinnitus is any sound you hear that you’re not expecting or wanting to hear—and/or one that sounds different from other natural or ambient sounds. What’s more, she points out that most people experience the sensation at some point in their lives. Yet, in fact, for 15% to 20% of the population—typically older adults—tinnitus is more than a passing sound. It may be an ever-present nuisance and distraction, perceived as whooshing, hissing, humming, buzzing, or ringing. “You hear it for hours or days,” Svrakic says. “Some people constantly hear it.” ### Types of tinnitus Typically, tinnitus is classified as being either subjective or objective. With subjective tinnitus, only the person who hears it can perceive the sound, whereas with objective tinnitus, a doctor can hear the sounds when examining the patient. Further, tinnitus sounds are classified into two categories: tonal or pulsatile. Tonal tinnitus is a steady sound, while pulsatile is a sound that gets louder and softer, like a heartbeat. “The most common kind of tinnitus that I see is in older people, and it is usually a tonal type of tinnitus, like a high-frequency sound or a hissing sound that they hear all the time,” Svrakic says. Some people with tinnitus hear unwanted sounds in one ear; others hear them in both ears. * ### Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our newsletter and get the same great content delivered straight to your inbox\! By providing your email address, you agree to receive email communication from The Well. * ### Causes of tinnitus “The most common cause, by overwhelming majority, is going to be an early sign of high-frequency hearing loss,” Svrakic says. “That is basically 95% of patients.” Still, some people with ear or other upper respiratory infections may also experience short-lived tinnitus. This is because short-lived viruses like a cold or the flu cause fluid accumulation in the ear, affecting how sound travels. Even ear wax can cause tinnitus if it moves around in such a way to block wound waves from coming into the ear. Tinnitus as a result of infections or wax—generally only lasts about as long as the condition or illness. What’s more, sometimes certain anti-cholesterol medications or antibiotics may cause tinnitus, along with exposure to loud noise—such as a rock concert—which may cause tinnitus for a few days. (However, exposure to loud noise daily through your career may contribute to long-term tinnitus.) “Loud noise exposure actually causes hearing loss at specific frequencies,” Svrakic says, which may contribute to tinnitus issues later on. ### How tinnitus is diagnosed Doctors can often diagnose tinnitus caused by hearing loss through hearing tests. Here, a provider plays the tonal notes of a rising scale, hitting higher and higher notes at different volumes to assess what range of hearing a person possesses. “Hearing loss is defined as needing a sound to be louder than 30 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “If they need a decibel level to be greater than 30 decibels, that defines hearing loss in that frequency.” Still, some people with tinnitus can hear all frequencies at levels lower than 30 decibels. However, in these cases, a hearing test may reveal that they’re just having difficulty with higher-frequency sounds. “So, for example, for low-frequency sounds, they can hear at 10 to 20 decibels, but for higher-frequency sounds, they’ll need 25 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “It’s not technically defined as hearing loss, but you need a louder sound presented in order to hear it.” As part of a tinnitus evaluation, doctors may offer a tinnitus pitch match and a volume match. This helps doctors understand what their patients are hearing and how it affects them. “I also do a tinnitus handicap inventory, because it’s important for me to know how much it’s bothering the patient,” Svrakic says. “If the tinnitus is there but it doesn’t bother them, there’s no need to treat it. But if the tinnitus is there and it bothers them, then I want to know: How much does it bother them? And how does it affect your work? Are you able to maintain social relationships?” ### Treatments for tinnitus When tinnitus does prove bothersome, people will often report having difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or having meaningful interactions as a result of their condition. Fortunately, treatments are effective for many people. And, fortunately, in the cases where tinnitus stems from hearing loss, finding relief may be as simple as picking up a pair of [hearing aids](https://thewell.northwell.edu/aging/types-of-hearing-aids). These devices can help to mask the bothersome sounds and improve overall hearing. Specific and non-specific sound therapy are two other effective options. “Nonspecific sound therapy is not specific to the type of tinnitus that you have; it just is there to mask the tinnitus or distract you from the tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “That could be a conversation with a friend to distract you, as a distraction therapy, or it can be a masking therapy where you’re playing a sound that’s loud enough to mask the tinnitus,” such as whooshing sounds, ocean sounds, or white-noise sounds. Specific sound therapy is intended to alter your neural network’s perception of sound and may be curative for those who follow through on therapy for two hours per day for a year. “They will take out the frequency of your tinnitus from your music files, so now you’re listening to the modified version that doesn’t contain the frequency of your tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “It basically tricks your brain and makes the neural networks of the brain fire differently.” Other sufferers may also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps them adjust to their tinnitus so that it bothers them less. “In analyzing ‘Why does it bother you?’ they’re having you do coping strategies,” Svrakic says. “And just measuring your tinnitus handicap and talking about it actually lowers your perceived handicap.” If you have a constant, bothersome ringing or buzzing in your ears, meet with your doctor to check it out. You don’t have to live with tinnitus. ### Next Steps and Useful Resources - Here’s [how to find relief when your ears need a refresh](https://thewell.northwell.edu/healthy-living-fitness/safe-ear-wax-removal). - [Why do I have so much earwax](https://thewell.northwell.edu/healthy-living-fitness/ear-wax-causes)? - If you find yourself wishing you had a volume button for your in-person conversations, it might be [time to get your hearing checked](https://thewell.northwell.edu/aging/hearing-loss-signs-causes). March 6th, 2023 Tags: [aging](https://thewell.northwell.edu/search?tag=aging) [chronic conditions](https://thewell.northwell.edu/search?tag=chronic-conditions) [treatment](https://thewell.northwell.edu/search?tag=treatment) ### Related Articles [![A man on a gambling site on his laptop.](https://dam.northwell.edu/asset/95cb85a2-d06c-42fe-b065-f22af2f30a5a/Drupal/TheWell_gambling_addiction_symptoms_AS_516263080.jpg)](https://thewell.northwell.edu/chronic-diseases-conditions/why-gambling-is-addictive) [chronic diseases/conditions](https://thewell.northwell.edu/topics/chronic-diseases-conditions) [Why Gambling Is Addictive And When It’s A Problem](https://thewell.northwell.edu/chronic-diseases-conditions/why-gambling-is-addictive) [![A doctor examining a woman’s neck.](https://dam.northwell.edu/asset/8d41f936-f2b7-4b16-b15e-635f115a7fd2/Drupal/TheWell_thyroidproblem_AS_816591826.jpg)](https://thewell.northwell.edu/chronic-diseases-conditions/thyroid-problem) [chronic diseases/conditions](https://thewell.northwell.edu/topics/chronic-diseases-conditions) [Fatigue And Brain Fog? 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Readable Markdown	Have you ever heard a ringing in your ears and thought, “Oh, someone’s thinking of me,” only for the sound to dissipate a moment later? Perhaps you’ve left a concert, only to hear a faint ringing or echo that persists on your walk back to the car. Or maybe you can sometimes hear what sounds like the gentle crashing of ocean waves—even when you’re nowhere near the water? If so, you’ve experienced what’s called tinnitus. “It’s actually very common,” explains [Maja Svrakic, MD,](https://www.northwell.edu/find-care/find-a-doctor/neurotology/dr-maja-svrakic-md-11367286) an otolaryngologist with Northwell Health. “We actually don’t really know why it happens, but it’s a part of normal physiology … like when your eye muscle twitches every now and then.” By way of explanation, Svrakic says that tinnitus is any sound you hear that you’re not expecting or wanting to hear—and/or one that sounds different from other natural or ambient sounds. What’s more, she points out that most people experience the sensation at some point in their lives. Yet, in fact, for 15% to 20% of the population—typically older adults—tinnitus is more than a passing sound. It may be an ever-present nuisance and distraction, perceived as whooshing, hissing, humming, buzzing, or ringing. “You hear it for hours or days,” Svrakic says. “Some people constantly hear it.” ### Types of tinnitus Typically, tinnitus is classified as being either subjective or objective. With subjective tinnitus, only the person who hears it can perceive the sound, whereas with objective tinnitus, a doctor can hear the sounds when examining the patient. Further, tinnitus sounds are classified into two categories: tonal or pulsatile. Tonal tinnitus is a steady sound, while pulsatile is a sound that gets louder and softer, like a heartbeat. “The most common kind of tinnitus that I see is in older people, and it is usually a tonal type of tinnitus, like a high-frequency sound or a hissing sound that they hear all the time,” Svrakic says. Some people with tinnitus hear unwanted sounds in one ear; others hear them in both ears. * ### Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our newsletter and get the same great content delivered straight to your inbox\! By providing your email address, you agree to receive email communication from The Well. * ### Causes of tinnitus “The most common cause, by overwhelming majority, is going to be an early sign of high-frequency hearing loss,” Svrakic says. “That is basically 95% of patients.” Still, some people with ear or other upper respiratory infections may also experience short-lived tinnitus. This is because short-lived viruses like a cold or the flu cause fluid accumulation in the ear, affecting how sound travels. Even ear wax can cause tinnitus if it moves around in such a way to block wound waves from coming into the ear. Tinnitus as a result of infections or wax—generally only lasts about as long as the condition or illness. What’s more, sometimes certain anti-cholesterol medications or antibiotics may cause tinnitus, along with exposure to loud noise—such as a rock concert—which may cause tinnitus for a few days. (However, exposure to loud noise daily through your career may contribute to long-term tinnitus.) “Loud noise exposure actually causes hearing loss at specific frequencies,” Svrakic says, which may contribute to tinnitus issues later on. ### How tinnitus is diagnosed Doctors can often diagnose tinnitus caused by hearing loss through hearing tests. Here, a provider plays the tonal notes of a rising scale, hitting higher and higher notes at different volumes to assess what range of hearing a person possesses. “Hearing loss is defined as needing a sound to be louder than 30 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “If they need a decibel level to be greater than 30 decibels, that defines hearing loss in that frequency.” Still, some people with tinnitus can hear all frequencies at levels lower than 30 decibels. However, in these cases, a hearing test may reveal that they’re just having difficulty with higher-frequency sounds. “So, for example, for low-frequency sounds, they can hear at 10 to 20 decibels, but for higher-frequency sounds, they’ll need 25 decibels to hear it,” Svrakic says. “It’s not technically defined as hearing loss, but you need a louder sound presented in order to hear it.” As part of a tinnitus evaluation, doctors may offer a tinnitus pitch match and a volume match. This helps doctors understand what their patients are hearing and how it affects them. “I also do a tinnitus handicap inventory, because it’s important for me to know how much it’s bothering the patient,” Svrakic says. “If the tinnitus is there but it doesn’t bother them, there’s no need to treat it. But if the tinnitus is there and it bothers them, then I want to know: How much does it bother them? And how does it affect your work? Are you able to maintain social relationships?” ### Treatments for tinnitus When tinnitus does prove bothersome, people will often report having difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or having meaningful interactions as a result of their condition. Fortunately, treatments are effective for many people. And, fortunately, in the cases where tinnitus stems from hearing loss, finding relief may be as simple as picking up a pair of [hearing aids](https://thewell.northwell.edu/aging/types-of-hearing-aids). These devices can help to mask the bothersome sounds and improve overall hearing. Specific and non-specific sound therapy are two other effective options. “Nonspecific sound therapy is not specific to the type of tinnitus that you have; it just is there to mask the tinnitus or distract you from the tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “That could be a conversation with a friend to distract you, as a distraction therapy, or it can be a masking therapy where you’re playing a sound that’s loud enough to mask the tinnitus,” such as whooshing sounds, ocean sounds, or white-noise sounds. Specific sound therapy is intended to alter your neural network’s perception of sound and may be curative for those who follow through on therapy for two hours per day for a year. “They will take out the frequency of your tinnitus from your music files, so now you’re listening to the modified version that doesn’t contain the frequency of your tinnitus,” Svrakic says. “It basically tricks your brain and makes the neural networks of the brain fire differently.” Other sufferers may also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps them adjust to their tinnitus so that it bothers them less. “In analyzing ‘Why does it bother you?’ they’re having you do coping strategies,” Svrakic says. “And just measuring your tinnitus handicap and talking about it actually lowers your perceived handicap.” If you have a constant, bothersome ringing or buzzing in your ears, meet with your doctor to check it out. You don’t have to live with tinnitus.
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