ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tinnitus

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˈtɪnɪtəs// UK //tˈɪnɪtəs// tin·ni·tus

n. a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears or head that you cannot hear from the outside. It is often a sign that your ears are tired or damaged.

n. the perception of sound within the ear or head without an external source. Often associated with hearing loss or damage to the auditory system.


SIMPLE

He has a constant ringing in his ears called tinnitus.

CONTEXTUAL

Many people who work in noisy environments suffer from tinnitus, which can be a permanent side effect of hearing loss.

COMPLEX

While occasional tinnitus is common and usually harmless, persistent ringing can indicate underlying health issues such as high blood pressure or ear infections that require medical intervention.

Origin

Learned borrowing from Latin tinnītus (“a jingling, ringing”).

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