tinnitus /tinī″təs/ [L, tinnire, to tinkle] , a subjective noise sensation, often described as ringing, heard in one or both ears. It may be a sign of acoustic trauma, aspirin toxicity, multiple sclerosis, Ménière’s disease, otosclerosis, presbycusis, or an accumulation of cerumen impinging on the eardrum or occluding the external auditory canal. It occasionally occurs for no apparent reason.
