Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears (or head) when no external sound is present, often described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling, clicking, roaring, or pulsing sounds that can be constant or intermittent, in one or both ears. It is a symptom rather than a disease itself, resulting from abnormal electrical activity in the auditory pathways or brain’s interpretation of signals. Common causes include prolonged exposure to loud noise (e.g., concerts, machinery, headphones), age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), earwax blockage, middle/inner ear issues (e.g., otosclerosis, Meniere’s disease), medications (ototoxic drugs like certain antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, high-dose aspirin), head/neck injuries, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, high blood pressure, vascular abnormalities (e.g., pulsatile tinnitus from blood flow changes), acoustic neuroma, or even stress/anxiety amplifying perception. The sound can vary in pitch, volume, and character, often more noticeable in quiet environments or at night, and may accompany hearing loss, dizziness, or ear fullness depending on the underlying trigger.