Tinnitus is most commonly described as a constant ringing in the ears, though some sufferers hear buzzing, white noise or other sounds. It occurs when part of the inner ear called the Cochlea is damaged. This carries thousands of tiny cells that detect sound, so when these are damaged, the brain seeks sound from elsewhere in the body, causing tinnitus. There are a number of medical conditions that can cause this, as the NHS website points out, but excessive noise in the workplace is the most likely cause for sufferers who have worked in these and other noisy industries: Construction and engineering Factories and mills Processing Shipbuilding Stone cutting and quarrying Textile mills Power stations Steelworks