Do you hear a ringing, roaring, clicking, or hissing sound in your ears?  Do you hear this sound often or all the time?  Does the sound bother you?  If you answer yes to these questions, you may have tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a symptom associated with many forms of hearing loss and other health problems, and it can also be a side effect of some medications.  According to estimates, at least 12 million Americans have tinnitus.  Of these, one million expe-rience it so severely that it interferes with their daily activities.

If you think you have tinnitus, you should talk to your physician.  It could be related to blood pressure, kidney function, diet, allergies, medication, or exposure to loud noise.  Treatment can include hearing aids, maskers (small devices that use sound to make tinnitus less noticeable), medication, therapy, counseling, or relaxation training.