The reasons why some people get tinnitus when there is no obvious cause are complex and are still being researched.
There are several different 'models' or schools of thought as to how tinnitus is produced and experienced.
Current views are that tinnitus is the result of the complex workings of several of the body's systems.
These can all work together to produce what is experienced as tinnitus.
The hearing pathway has a complex filtering system which allows you to 'tune in' to sounds that have meaning to you, and 'filter out' sounds which are not important to you.
This system works all the time and stops you being bombarded with sound.
Your brain also has response systems that respond to the meaning of sound and help influence the way that you filter sound.
Together these filters and response systems help to control how you react to sound.
For example, if you hear your name at a party you will tune in to hear what is being said about you.
This is because the sound of your name has lots of meaning to you.
Your hearing pathway, your filters, and your sound response systems are all involved when you hear tinnitus.
Firstly, a tinnitus signal is present, usually in your inner ear or the auditory nerve but it could be anywhere in the hearing pathway.
This is usually very weak and most people don't notice it.
However, if you become aware of tinnitus, this means that your filters have started to pick up this tinnitus signal.
If you become anxious or annoyed by your tinnitus then your sound response systems will tune your filters into your tinnitus and you will start to hear it more.
The good news is that your filters and sound response systems can be taught to ignore the tinnitus signal - this process is called 'habitation'.
When you get professional help for your tinnitus your therapist may prefer a particular school of thought and will treat you based on that model.
Although there are various schools of thought none of them claim to be the only effective way to treat tinnitus.
Is There A Link Between Sensitivity To Sound And Tinnitus? Around half of people with tinnitus are also more sensitive than normal to everyday sounds.
Broadly speaking there are two forms of sensitivity to sound: Hyperacusis If you have hyperacusis you may find everyday sounds uncomfortable or painfully loud, even when they do not bother other people.
Misophonia/Noise Annoyance If you have misophonia, also known as noise annoyance, you may find particular sounds extremely irritating, although you may not be particularly sensitive to sounds in general.
If your dislike is strong enough to be considered a phobia then the term phonophobia is used.
Hyperacusis and misophonia can be treated with habituation therapy and sound therapy.