Tinnitus Tinnitus is a noise (humming or rumbling or high pitched) heard by the patient from within the ear. Be sure to inform your doctor of all medications you are taking, because tinnitus can be a side effect of some drugs. If the source of the problem remains unclear, you'll be sent for an audiogram (which is to know about the status of the hearing nerve) and maybe a few other tests. Treatment depends on the cause. Treatments may include hearing aids, sound-masking devices, medicines, and ways to learn how to cope with the noise.
