Tinnitus
Pronunciation: ti-NIGH-tus or TIN-it-us
The perception of sound in the ear or head in the absence of an external acoustic stimulus, commonly described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring.
Full Definition
Tinnitus is a highly prevalent auditory symptom that frequently co-occurs with hearing loss and is an important consideration in aural rehabilitation. It may be subjective (audible only to the patient) or, rarely, objective (audible to an examiner). Subjective tinnitus is the form most commonly addressed in rehabilitation contexts, where it can significantly impair sleep, concentration, and emotional wellbeing. Management approaches within aural rehabilitation include tinnitus retraining therapy, sound therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy adaptations, and hearing aid fitting. Editors should be alert to the two accepted pronunciations ('ti-NIGH-tus' and 'TIN-it-us'), noting that clinical style guides may specify a preference, and should also ensure 'tinnitus' is not misspelled as 'tinitus' or 'tennitus'.
Usage
Usage note: Two pronunciations are accepted; defer to the house style or client organization's preference. Common misspellings ('tinitus', 'tennitus') should be flagged. Do not confuse with hyperacusis, which is a sensitivity to external sound rather than an internally generated percept.
In Context
- "The patient reported persistent bilateral tinnitus, described as a high-pitched ringing, which had worsened since the onset of hearing loss." — Aural rehabilitation intake assessment
- "The aural rehabilitation program was tailored to address both the hearing loss and the associated tinnitus." — Clinical intervention plan