Almost everyone experiences ringing in the ears (tinnitus) from time to time. This is most likely to occur when you are in a quiet room. The sound usually lasts only a few minutes and usually is not cause for concern.

If ringing in the ears becomes more frequent, home treatment may help decrease the frequency and severity of the episodes.

When ringing in the ears is persistent and continues despite the use of home treatment, a visit to a health professional is needed to determine the cause of the tinnitus. Even if the most likely cause is hearing loss related to the aging process (presbycusis) or lifetime exposure to a noisy environment, it is important to let your health professional decide whether more testing is needed.