tinnitus

noun

tin·​ni·​tus ˈti-nə-təs  tə-ˈnī-təs 

: a sensation of noise (such as a ringing or roaring) that is typically caused by a bodily condition (such as a disturbance of the auditory nerve or wax in the ear) and usually is of the subjective form which can only be heard by the one affected

Examples of tinnitus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shawn now suffers from bilateral sciatica, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, tinnitus and low-level hearing loss. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

Several of the ill people, who also include Canadian diplomats, reported vertigo, tinnitus, headaches, cognitive impairmen, and other issues after feeling intense pressure or hearing strange sounds coming from one direction in incidents that happened in several countries. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

Lead vocalist Jacob Bannon came across the phenomenon when researching his own tinnitus and reimagined it as a culmination of all the pain and suffering in human existence. — Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026

The company, Tortugas Neuroscience, launched Tuesday with plans to develop two schizophrenia and tinnitus drugs licensed from Chinese drugmaker Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group. — Allison Deangelis, STAT, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, ringing, tinnitus, from tinnire to ring, of imitative origin

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tinnitus

noun

tin·​ni·​tus ˈtin-ət-əs  ti-ˈnīt-əs 

: a sensation of noise (as a ringing or roaring) that is typically caused by a bodily condition (as a disturbance of the auditory nerve or wax in the ear) and usually is of the subjective form which can only be heard by the one affected