Abnormal noises - usually described as "ringing in the ears" when no such external noise is evident - are due to defects in the auditory nerves that are responsible for hearing.

Tinnitus (the word is derived from the Latin word tinnire meaning ‘to ring’) is a symptom that in itself is not a serious condition, but it can be frustrating for the sufferer. Although the precise cause is not known, methods to deal with it are available

A person affected by tinnitus hears abnormal noise in the ear - usually described as a high pitched ringing, although it can also sound like hissing, whistling, buzzing or a combination of these sounds. What is significant is that this sound is heard when there is no sound actually emanating from outside the ear.

The actual mechanism by which tinnitus is caused is not yet adequately understood. It is believed to be the result of a fault in the hearing apparatus.

A simple analogy is that the nerves that conduct sound from the middle ear to the brain are like the ether that conducts sound to a radio receiver. Usually, there is "static" (which we hear as crackling sounds) in the ether - but because the broadcast sounds that reach the receiver are loud, these "normal" sounds drown out the static. When there are no radio signals being sent out, then the radio receiver receives only the static - which the listener hears as crackling sounds, often referred to as interference.

Similarly, when the auditory nerves (due to some defect) are unable to carry the usual sounds, then the person’s brain perceives only the static - which is the sound that tinnitus sufferers hear.

Many conditions are associated with tinnitus, including the following:

* exposure over a long period to excessive noise, such as rock music, artillery fire and chain saws

* aging

* excessive alcohol

* cigarette smoking for many years

* side effects of prescribed medications

* stress and fatigue

* head injury

* ear infection

* wax impinging against the ear drum

* a tumour of the auditory nerve

* otosclerosis (stiffness of the tiny bones within the middle ear)

Meniere’s disease

The main problem with tinnitus is that it can affect one’s peace of mind and concentration, and being more noticeable in the silence of the night, when there is no background noise, it can also affect one’s ability to sleep.

It has to be accepted that there is no magic tablet or operation that can "fix" Tinnitus. Since tinnitus is less noticeable when there is audible background noise, however, the following techniques can be utilised:

* Especially for those who have difficulty going to sleep because of the ringing in their ears, having some soothing background music playing when they retire for the night can be helpful.

* Some may benefit from using tinnitus maskers - a device that looks like a hearing aid and is worn behind the ear. This produces a hissing kind of noise that counterbalances the noise of tinnitus.

* If the tinnitus is associated with deafness, then assessment by an audiologist and fitting of a hearing aid helps to drown out the tinnitus with amplified sound that is easy to focus on.

* Tinnitus is often aggravated by stress, so learning relaxation and meditation techniques can help