Tinnitus can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:

• Age-related hearing loss
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Earwax blockage
• Medications (such as NSAIDs, antibiotics, cancer drugs, diuretics, antimalarial drugs, antidepressants)
• Ear infections
• Blood vessel disorders
• Neurological disorders (like multiple sclerosis or acoustic neuroma)

The condition is characterized by the perception of noise or ringing in the ears without an external sound source. ^{mayoclinic.org 1 2 3}