Why are my ears ringing?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:01)
When you think about Crocs, you think the classic clog. But do you know there's also a canvas clog, a vegan suede clog, a coastal inspired style, a style with studs, straps, and lots of sass.
Honestly, I could keep going with the surprises. You've got to see them for yourself because there is literally a style for every kind of girl. So do your thing and head to crocs.com or a store near you now.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:27)
This is a Bose moment. You've been there, small talks going nowhere, but then the Bose speaker kicks in.
Music you can feel fills the room and no more chat with Jenny from accounts. Your life deserves music. Your music deserves Bose. Find your perfect product at bose.com.

**SPEAKER_3** (0:49)
Why are my ears ringing?
Thanks for asking.
It's not uncommon to hear ringing, buzzing, humming or hissing sounds that can't be heard by anyone else. The medical term for these symptoms is tinnitus. The sounds may affect both ears or just one. If you're lucky, they're a temporary or intermittent problem, but for some people they can be more severe, interfering with their lives on a daily basis. Indeed, 2018 figures from the British Tinnitus Association suggested that persistent tinnitus affects one in eight people. Occasional ringing in the ears is nothing to worry about. It's when it lasts for longer than a few minutes that you may wish to consult a GP. Where does it come from? Bear in mind that tinnitus itself isn't actually a disease. The sounds are symptoms of other disorders and health conditions. According to the Cleveland Clinic, tinnitus is a symptom of more than 75% of ear disorders. We don't really know exactly where tinnitus comes from, but experts believe that it may be down to abnormal activity in the part of the brain that processes sound, and they have managed to identify a number of factors which can make it more likely to happen. Exposure to loud noise is a leading cause. It could be regularly listening to loud music at a concert, in a club or even using a portable device. Workers who operate loud machinery or generally work in a noisy environment are also at risk. A blockage in one or both of the ear canals may also be behind tinnitus. It could be fluid caused by an ear infection or a buildup of earwax. Either of those can change pressure levels in the ear, leading to tinnitus. In that case, a doctor may be able to treat it and you'll see if the sounds disappear. Other causes can include head and neck injuries, blood pressure issues, certain medications and chronic health conditions. Does it get worse with age?
Well, age related hearing loss is a common cause of tinnitus and it's pretty much inevitable for all of us, usually beginning around the age of 60 and affecting both ears. That's because some of the nerve fibers in the ears stop functioning. The ability to hear high frequency sounds is affected first. Getting hearing aid may help.
Are there any treatments for permanent tinnitus?
Unfortunately, permanent tinnitus can't be cured. Some people are able to tolerate it better than others, but it's generally difficult to live with. There are behavioral treatment options like tinnitus retraining therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy which may make tinnitus less noticeable or bothersome. A white noise machine or masking device is another option which could help suppress the sounds.
There you have it.
Now you know why your ears could be ringing. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.

**SPEAKER_2** (3:54)
Bababam.