Tinnitus sounds different to different people. Some people describe it as a hiss, or a buzzing or a ringing, or a whistling. Sometimes it can be a clicking or a pulsing or rushing sound. Sometimes it can sound like music, such as an old hymn or organ music. Often it's a combination of several sounds and tones.

Sometimes the sound is not true tinnitus, but is actually a sound our body is making. This is known as a somatosound. It could be the movement of our jaws, or the rushing of blood, or even the clicking of muscles in our ears.