What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound that has no external source. People afflicted with tinnitus often describe it as sounding like ringing, hissing, roaring, buzzing, or whooshing, and it can be perceived in one or both ears. Some people experience tinnitus intermittently; others hear it constantly. Stress, fatigue, anxiety, and other triggers can exacerbate the sound.