US Medical Term · symptoms
Tinnitus
Tinnitus
Also: Acúfeno (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Tinnitus |
| Spanish (Español) | Tinnitus |
| Chinese (中文) | 耳鳴 |
| Korean (한국어) | 이명 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Ù tai |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Ingay sa tainga |
| Portuguese (Português) | Zumbido no ouvido |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หูอื้อ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 耳鳴り |
What it means
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking, or roaring sounds in one or both ears when no external sound is present. It can be intermittent or constant and range from mildly annoying to severely disabling. Common causes include noise-induced hearing damage, earwax blockage, ear infections, age-related hearing loss, certain medications (especially high-dose aspirin or NSAIDs), high blood pressure, and Meniere's disease. Tinnitus itself is usually not dangerous, but it should be evaluated if it is new, one-sided, pulsatile (beats with your heartbeat), or accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness. Most cases can be managed with treatment or sound therapy.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I constantly hear a ringing or buzzing sound in my right ear that will not go away.
Escucho constantemente un sonido de zumbido o timbre en mi oído derecho que no desaparece.
The ringing in my ears gets worse when it is quiet and at night when I am trying to sleep.
El zumbido en mis oídos empeora cuando hay silencio y de noche cuando intento dormir.
I noticed a new pulsating sound in my ear that seems to beat with my heart.
Noté un sonido pulsante nuevo en mi oído que parece latir con mi corazón.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
H93 Other disorders of ear, not elsewhere classifiedRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026