<P> Prevention involves avoiding loud noise . If there is an underlying cause, treating it may lead to improvements . Otherwise, typically, management involves talk therapy . Sound generators or hearing aids may help some . As of 2013, there were no effective medications . It is common, affecting about 10--15% of people . Most, however, tolerate it well, and it is a significant problem in only 1--2% of people . The word tinnitus is from the Latin tinnīre which means "to ring". </P> <P> Tinnitus can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head . It is the description of a noise inside a person's head in the absence of auditory stimulation . The noise can be described in many different ways . It is usually described as a ringing noise but, in some patients, it takes the form of a high - pitched whining, electric buzzing, hissing, humming, tinging or whistling sound or as ticking, clicking, roaring, "crickets" or "tree frogs" or "locusts (cicadas)", tunes, songs, beeping, sizzling, sounds that slightly resemble human voices or even a pure steady tone like that heard during a hearing test . It has also been described as a "whooshing" sound because of acute muscle spasms, as of wind or waves . Tinnitus can be intermittent or continuous: in the latter case, it can be the cause of great distress . In some individuals, the intensity can be changed by shoulder, head, tongue, jaw or eye movements . Most people with tinnitus have some degree of hearing loss . </P> <P> The sound perceived may range from a quiet background noise to one that can be heard even over loud external sounds . The specific type of tinnitus called pulsatile tinnitus is characterized by hearing the sounds of one's own pulse or muscle contractions, which is typically a result of sounds that have been created by the movement of muscles near to one's ear, or the sounds are related to blood flow of the neck or face . </P> <P> Due to variations in study designs, data on the course of tinnitus showed few consistent results . Generally the prevalence increased with age in adults, whereas the ratings of annoyance decreased with duration . </P>

I hear a high pitched sound in my right ear