A Ringing in the Ears

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a head noise that varies in intensity from person to person and within the same individual. It can seem to come from one side or the other and can be chronic or intermittent, according to University of Washington researchers. Although the exact cause is not known, the disorder can develop because of inner-ear problems, hearing loss or the use of some medications. Wearing a hearing aid, managing stress and using biofeedback can help increase the tolerance for the distracting noise.