A prospective study of successive admissions to the Regional Poisons Unit, South Glamorgan, Wales following deliberate self-poisoning, identified 211 overdoses, by 184 individuals (27 cases being repeat attempts). Unexpectedly, when compared to rates in the general population, tinnitus was underrepresented in this population by a factor greater than 4. Only 3 individuals reported having tinnitus. Their suicide attempts were not thought to be serious when assessed on conventional criteria by the liaison psychiatrist. None of the three stated that having tinnitus had any influence on their decision to take an overdose. (8 refs.)