Tinnitus can, in fact, interfere with work, sleep, and normal communication with others. Causes Like a toothache, tinnitus isn't a disease in itself, but a symptom of another problem. And sometimes tinnitus is simply due to advancing age. It often accompanies loss of hearing. Often, tinnitus is temporary and will not lead to deafness.
Treatment is aimed at finding and treating the problem that causes the tinnitus.