What Does Tinnitus Sound Like?

Most patients find it difficult to answer the question, “What does tinnitus sound like?” People hear sounds differently, and that makes it a surprisingly complex question to answer. Unfortunately, it can be frustrating for patients to have difficulty in explaining the discomfort they are experiencing. While some patients say their tinnitus sounds like ringing, hissing, roaring, or screeching, others describe their tinnitus as sounding like crickets, sirens, whooshing, static, pulsing, ocean waves, buzzing, clicking, dial tones, or even music.

Fortunately, The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) has compiled a playlist of sample tinnitus sounds. Patients can listen to the individual sounds to match them to their own experience.

Sample Tinnitus Sounds

These sample sounds are only a small sampling of the sounds people with tinnitus might experience. As you go through the sound samples, you may or may not find an exact match for your condition. But this is okay. It is quite possible that there may be other sounds and tones that you might be dealing with that are not included in this list. The sample playlist is meant to be used as a tool to help describe your condition as best as possible. Give it a try.

Please Note: We recommend that you turn down the volume on your speakers or headphones before playing any sound files. The recordings, like tinnitus itself, can be pretty loud and irritating.

Tinnitus Sound 1: 4000 Hz Tone

Tinnitus Sound 2: 7500 Hz Tone

Tinnitus Sound 3: Tea Kettle

Tinnitus Sound 4: Buzzing or Cicada

Tinnitus Sound 5: Static

Tinnitus Sound 6: Screeching

Tinnitus Sound 7: Electric

Tinnitus Sound 8: Roaring

Share The Sounds of Tinnitus With Others

Tinnitus is not an easy condition to live with, and it will make your life easier if others can understand the condition you live with every day. While it is important to share the sounds of tinnitus you experience with your primary care provider and audiologist, we recommend that you also share this information with your family and friends. This will help them understand your condition better.

Customized Treatment Options for Tinnitus

Given the large variety of sounds each tinnitus patient can experience, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. At Advanced Audiology Care, we customize treatment plans via ZEN sound therapy combined with counseling to help patients reduce the degree to which their tinnitus negatively impacts their quality of life. To learn more about treatment options, check out our page on Tinnitus Treatment .

Tinnitus Treatment at Advanced Audiology Care

Please contact Advanced Audiology Care at (848) 231-6637 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fan. He can help you or a loved one with tinnitus. For your convenience, you may also request an appointment online.