tinnitus

American  

[ti-nahy-tuhs, tin-i-] / tɪˈnaɪ təs, ˈtɪn ɪ- /

noun

Pathology.

1. a ringing or similar sensation of sound in the ears.

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tinnitus British  

/ ˈtɪnɪtəs, tɪˈnaɪtəs /

noun

1. pathol a ringing, hissing, or booming sensation in one or both ears, caused by infection of the middle or inner ear, a side effect of certain drugs, etc

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tinnitus Scientific  

/ tĭn′ĭ-təs,tĭ-nī′- /

1. A buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound in one or both ears occurring without an external stimulus. Its causes include ear infection or blockage, certain drugs, head injury, and neurologic disease.

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Etymology

Origin of tinnitus

First recorded in 1685–95; from Latin tinnītus “a tinkling,” noun use of past participle of tinnīre “to tinkle,” of imitative origin

Example Sentences

A separate 2021 study of 5,474 military personnel by Kings College London found a quarter reported difficulty hearing or tinnitus.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

Townshend later blamed that incident for his hearing loss and tinnitus.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

He has memory lapses, permanent hearing loss in both ears and tinnitus that “feels like a bug marching through my eardrums.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2024

White noise has been used to treat ringing or buzzing in the ear, called tinnitus.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 4, 2024

Kauffmann expresses the opinion that the noises were due to clonic spasm of the tensor velum palati, and states that under appropriate treatment the tinnitus gradually subsided.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)