Being able to recognise tinnitus symptoms is the first step on the road to getting help. There are many different forms of tinnitus that people experience, with some ranging greatly in severity.

Tinnitus affects you in different ways. You may only notice it when you  go to bed at night, after waking up, after a loud concert, or you may find that the constant noise seriously affects your day-to-day quality of life. Whatever the severity, there is one thing in common: a high-pitched whistling, buzzing, ringing, humming or 'roaring ocean' sound in one or both ears.

Whether your tinnitus occurs daily or at specific times, it can have a noticeable effect on your concentration levels and ability to focus on other sounds or conversations around you. You may find that the condition worsens according to posture, often due to the pressure changes associated with moving your head or lying down. The noise can also seem more prominent when you're feeling tired, stressed or are in noticeably quiet surroundings.

Severe or long-standing tinnitus symptoms tend to align with one of the three categories outlined below: