Tinnitus is commonly described as a hissing, roaring, or ringing sound heard in one or both ears, or in the center of the head.  It can range in pitch and perceived loudness, can sound like noise with no tonal quality at all, can be fluctuating or pulsating in nature, intermittent or constant. 

It is reported that as many as 50 million adults experience tinnitus, with more than 10 million seeking help for the condition.  As tinnitus is subjective, the effect on the person’s life can drastically differ between individuals.  For some it is just a noise in the background.  For others it is an unwelcome intrusion into every aspect of their lives, with seemingly no escape from it.  Effects on quality of life largely depends of how the person reacts to the tinnitus, as individuals who describe their tinnitus in very similar ways often have very different reactions and attitudes towards their condition.  Tinnitus can often interfere with sleep, and concentration.  Many people with tinnitus report a hypersensitivity to sounds, both moderate and loud sounds, creating an inability to tolerate environments with any type of noise or activity.  This can have a negative effect on work and home environments, increasing the level of stress. As one might imagine, stress often compounds the symptoms of tinnitus, increasing the effects.  Some sufferers become depressed or anxious as a result of their tinnitus.  Tinnitus often has both a physiological and psychological component.