Additional Information
The symptom of tinnitus represents one of the most elusive mysteries facing hearing health care professionals. Tinnitus refers to any auditory perception not directly produced by sound. It is commonly described as a sensation of hissing, roaring, or ringing. It can be tonal, ranging from high pitch to low pitch, multi-tonal, or noise-like (having no tonal quality). Tinnitus may be constant, pulsed, or intermittent. Tinnitus may begin suddenly, or may come on gradually. It can be perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head. Tinnitus can be broadly classified into two categories; objective and subjective. Objective tinnitus, which may or may not be audible to the patient, but is audible to an observer (either with a stethoscope, or simply by listening in close proximity to the ear) is present in less than 5% of overall tinnitus cases. Objective tinnitus, often associated with vascular or muscular disorders is frequently described as pulsatile, synchronous with the heartbeat. In most instances, the cause of objective tinnitus can be determined, and treatment, either medical or surgical, can be prescribed. Subjective tinnitus (audible only to the patient) is far more common, occuring in over 95% of patients. Subjective tinnitus is a symptom that is associated with almost all ear disorders and is in fact reported to be present in over 80% of individuals with sensorineural (inner ear) hearing loss.