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

Moon incurred tinnitus following an injury to his eardrum in recent years, which impacted his ability to work.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

For example, patients with tinnitus and needing ear wax removal often end up being referred to specialists when they could be helped outside hospitals.

From BBC • Apr. 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

Many were troubled with a tinnitus aurium, or singing in the ears; and numbers suffered from violent earaches or pains in the meatus auditorius, which in some turned to an abscess.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various