Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head not caused by an external sound source. It is not a disease or a cause of hearing loss. Tinnitus is a symptom that something is wrong somewhere in the auditory system, which can include the cochlea of the inner ear, the auditory nerve, and areas of the brain that process sound. Tinnitus is quite common, affecting almost 15% of adults and in about 90% of cases, it is accompanied by hearing loss. Speak to your hearing care professional about how hearing aids can be an effective part of any sound therapy.