It is a viral infection of the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). It's usually harmless, although it might not feel that way. Many types of viruses can cause it. Healthy adults can expect to have two or three of them each year. Infants and young children may have them even more frequently. Most people recover from it in a week or 10 days. Symptoms might last longer in people who smoke. Generally, medical attention for this condition is not necessary.

This is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have it isn't caused by an external sound, and other people usually can't hear it. This problem affects about 15% to 20% of people, and is especially common in older adults. It is usually caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury or a problem with the circulatory system.