Marc Fagelson: What's that ringing in your ears?

What's that ringing in your ears?

Tinnitus has been bothering humanity since Ancient Babylon, plaguing everyone from Leonardo da Vinci to Charles Darwin. Today, roughly one in seven people worldwide experiences this auditory sensation. So what exactly is tinnitus, and where does this persistent sound come from? Marc Fagelson travels into the auditory system to explore the loss of silence. [Directed by Zedem Media, narrated by Addison Anderson].

Tinnitus affects about one in seven people globally, creating phantom ringing, buzzing, or hissing without any external source. This persistent sound is not caused by the ear itself but by the brain’s response to lost or weakened signals from damaged cochlear cells. While tinnitus has bothered people since Ancient Babylon, it is often a harmless byproduct of our nervous system adapting to changes in hearing. For some, however, it can trigger distress or amplify anxiety, making understanding and coping strategies essential.