If you are being driven mad by ringing in your ears? Well news is you’ve probably got tinnitus.

You’re not alone. 17% of the world's population have experienced the symptoms of tinnitus at some time and this is growing everyday.

Worryingly many people leave it too long before doing anything about it. The sooner treatment starts the better the chance of a successful cure.

Occurs for less than 1 minute, at least once a week

Tinnitus is still the early stages

Some general causes for these symptons are over exposure to high noise levels, stress, muscle tension and a lack of sleep.

Advice: The most important thing to do in this situation is not to allow yourself to become stressed about it. This may often lead to a worsening of the condition. Try to reduce your stress factors and relax your muscle tension.

Possible treatments: Meditation is recommended.

Occurs for about 1 hour, at least once a week

Acute tinnitus

Specific causes might be noise trauma (shots, loud music), a previous illness or abnormal blood pressure.

Advice: This may be the last chance to treat tinnitus without surgery. It is strongly advised you change your lifestyle, less stress, plenty of sleep, relaxation, drinking enough water, and generally living a balanced lifestyle.

Possible treatments: A daily 30-minute sound therapy procedure therapy is highly recommended here. If immediate measures are taken, such as soft laser treatment, an acute tinnitus can be treated within three months time.

More than 1 hour, at least once a week

Subacute tinnitus

Many attempts at treatments have usually been undertaken, often with little success

Advice: At this stage holistic treatment is recommended, which should be carried out promptly. Once tinnitus become chronic, the chances of a cure are decreased.

Possible treatments: Soft laser treatment and meditation therapy should be carried out at the same time. If you are having trouble sleeping then the treatment should also be expanded to include sleep therapy.

Constant ­ you’ve already suffered for longer than a year

Chronic tinnitus

It is possible that you have already lost the zest for life and hope of recovery

Advice: The chance of 100% recovery is less at this stage, however, not impossible.

Possible treatments: There are still opportunities available for the reduction of the tinnitus noise, e.g. soft laser treatment. There are new, methods available, primarily for the improvement of the quality of life, such as meditation therapy, sleep therapy and nature sound masking.