tinnitus

noun
tin·​ni·​tus | \ ˈti-nə-təs How to pronounce tinnitus (audio) , tə-ˈnī-təs\

Definition of tinnitus

: 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

At night, Hawkins listens to talk-radio on his headphones to try to offset the tinnitus noise in his head and go to sleep, after washing his nerve medicine down with a beer. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, "Swampers drum legend’s hot beats and cold winter," 7 Aug. 2019 Scientists aren’t exactly sure how to explain tinnitus. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Is Tinnitus?," 30 Jan. 2019 Sound therapy can help with objective and subjective tinnitus. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Is Tinnitus?," 30 Jan. 2019 The substance can be used medically to treat tinnitus, dizziness and chest pain. Beth Harris, The Seattle Times, "US swim nationals set to go on without banned Lochte," 24 July 2018 Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that produces feelings of vertigo, as well as tinnitus (or ringing) and hearing loss. Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE.com, "Huey Lewis Opens Up About Sudden Hearing Loss: 'I Haven't Come to Grips with the Fact That I May Never Sing Again'," 7 May 2018 The affected personnel exhibited several health problems that resemble those caused by mild brain trauma such as a concussion, including sharp ear pain, dull headaches, tinnitus, vertigo, disorientation, nausea and extreme fatigue. Gardiner Harris, New York Times, "25th Person at U.S. Embassy in Cuba Is Mysteriously Sickened," 21 June 2018 But foam isn’t great in all cases (like for people with tinnitus), and a $50 noise machine might not be worth much if there’s ungodly snoring happening right beside you. Chris Welch, The Verge, "Bose’s new $250 Sleepbuds play soothing sounds instead of music," 20 June 2018 These symptoms are due to a condition called tinnitus. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Protect your ears: you might not realize what’s hurting them," 19 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tinnitus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of tinnitus

1843, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tinnitus

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

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More Definitions for tinnitus

tinnitus

noun

English Language Learners Definition of tinnitus

medical : a condition that causes you to hear ringing or roaring sounds that only you can hear

tinnitus

noun
tin·​ni·​tus | \ ˈtin-ət-əs How to pronounce tinnitus (audio) , ti-ˈnīt-əs How to pronounce tinnitus (audio) \

Medical Definition of tinnitus

: 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