Tinnitus is a noise heard by a person in his/her ears or head that does not come from an external source. Tinnitus manifests in various forms, such as ringing or hissing sounds. Almost all people experience short term tinnitus every now and then. Some 15% of the population have long term tinnitus, and 2% have a disruptive tinnitus. Tinnitus is often linked to loss of hearing, and it is most commonly caused by noise. Tinnitus should always be examined by an ear specialist who is familiar with this disorder. Tinnitus cannot always be cured, but some form of help is always available.