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Do you have noises in your ears or in your head? Maybe the sound is a ringing, or perhaps a whistling, a hissing or a roaring? The medical word for this is tinnitus. It comes from the Latin word 'tinnire', which means 'to ring'.
You might only notice these sounds when it is very quiet, such as at night. Or they might be so loud that they intrude on your everyday life. Either way, tinnitus can be distressing and worrying – but you are not alone.
An estimated seven million people in the UK have experienced tinnitus at one time or another - it can happen at any age. Three million have visited their GP about it, and there are many more who have tinnitus but do not know what it is or how to manage it. For at least half a million, the effect on their lives is severe.
Tinnitus does not have to have a negative impact on your life. It's a common myth that you can't do anything about tinnitus. Read our myths and truths page, visit our tinnitus forum or our tinnitus factsheet section to find out more about how you can take action.