Sometimes you may experience buzzing or whistling noise in your ears that may last for 24 hours a day. It may be constant without any break. This is not external source of noise, but rather due to muscle contractions near the ear, changes in the ear canal, or blood flow (vascular) problems.

Its not just people who suffer from tinnitus who hear this noise. We all sometime may experience tinnitus for short periods of time. For example, if we have been exposed to loud music for long periods of time, we sometimes can experience symptoms of tinnitus.

Normally, the ringing or buzzing in the ears will go way after awhile. But if it continues, chances are it is tinnitus. People who suffer from this condition find it very hard to cope with, as it is awfully disturbing and uncomfortable.

People over the age of 40 are more likely to experience this problem. In the younger age groups, it is quite rare. This disease is more common in men than in women.

There are two main types of tinnitus:

Non-vibratory tinnitus is caused by problems in the central or peripheral nerves involved with hearing. One may experience hearing sound in one or both ears. Sometimes this type of tinnitus may seem like the sound is coming from inside the head.

Vibratory tinnitus is often caused by mechanical sounds created by muscle contractions near the ear, changes in the ear canal, or blood flow (vascular) problems involving the face or neck. It is possible that one may hear sounds such as your own pulse or the contractions of your muscles which is referred to as pulsatile tinnitus. The major cause of tinnitus may be prolonged exposure to loud noise (auditory trauma) that can damage the nerves in the inner ear. However, tinnitus can crop up with all types of hearing loss and may be a symptom of almost any ear disorder.

Even some have it has been referred as "the club disease". This is because people experience tinnitus or "ringing ears" after attending loud clubs or concerts.

The ones who suffer from this hearing problem is certainly not a result of their imagination. While most cases of tinnitus are temporary and will go away after certain period, some cases require medical attention.

John Currie is the owner and co-founder of T-Gone Remedies Inc. and been helping tinnitus and Meniere's disease sufferers since 1999.