Brain tinnitus in the elderly is most often caused by a lack of blood supply to the brain as a result of a substantial brain lesion. Cervical spondylosis, vascular diseases of the brain such as stroke, intracranial venous sinus and cerebral vein thrombosis, tumours and jugular cavernous sinus fistulas can all cause tinnitus. Of course, some elderly patients also experience tinnitus when they are tired or sleep deprived.