Do you experience ringing or other Noises in one or both of your ears?

The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn't caused by an external sound, and other people usually can't hear it. Tinnitus is a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people.

Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition, such an ear congestion or a problem with the circulatory system. For many people, tinnitus improves with treatment of the underlying cause or with other treatments that reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable.

About 1 in 5 people experience the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. It's called tinnitus.

Dr. Gayla Poling says tinnitus can be perceived a myriad of ways. "Ninety percent of those with tinnitus have hearing loss." Hearing loss can be age-related, come from a one-time exposure, or exposure to loud sounds over a lifetime. Dr. Poling says the tiny hairs in our inner ear may play a role.

Those little hair cells in our inner ear are really delicate structures. That's what is actually damaged with noise exposure."

Dr. Poling says there's no scientifically proven cure for tinnitus, but there are treatment and management options.

Tinnitus is most often described as a ringing tinnitus can also cause other types of phantom noises in your ears, including:

• Roaring
• Clicking
• Hissing