Anatomy Lesson: Understanding Tinnitus

What it is: Tinnitus is a sensation of noise (ringing or roaring) that can only be heard by the affected person and is typically caused by a bodily condition, such as a disturbance of the auditory nerve or wax in the ear. People with tinnitus experience the sound in the absence of a corresponding external source. Many people describe a ringing, but for some, tinnitus takes the form of a high-pitched whining, buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling.

Facts: Over 500 million people worldwide suffer from tinnitus, including an estimated 40 million Americans. It usually starts in your 40s, but the risk increases with age. More than 50% of sufferers are male. It is the leading service-related disability for veterans, and it can be linked to hearing loss.

How massage can help: Using techniques such as ear pulling, stretching the master, and also stretching around the ear, massage can be an effective way to help ease the symptoms. Therapists usually start the session by massaging the muscles of the neck and shoulders — including the sternocleiomastoid (SCM), trapezius, levator scapulae, and the suboccipital muscles. Before beginning this procedure, always be sure you have been cleared for massage by your primary care provider.

Source: American Massage Therapy Association, Massage Therapy Journal, Spring 2026