Tinnitus

Tinnitus is an auditory perception that can be described as the experience of sound, in the ear or in the head, in the absence of external acoustic stimulation.

Also called: Ringing in ears, Ringing in the ears.

Not sure what tinnitus might be related to? See the lab tests that healthcare providers may use to investigate tinnitus, and the conditions they help explore.
Explore relevant lab tests
Associations

Conditions associated with tinnitus

The following conditions have been associated with tinnitus in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.

Acoustic Neuroma

A non-cancerous tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance problems....

Neurological

Adrenocortical carcinoma with pure aldosterone hypersecretion

Adrenocortical carcinoma with pure aldosterone hypersecretion is a medical condition that may be associated wi...

General

Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Arnold-Chiari malformation type I

Arnold-Chiari malformation type I is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sign...

General

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1E

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1E is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and si...

General

Chiari malformation type I

Arnold-Chiari malformation type I is a central nervous system malformation characterized by caudal displacemen...

General

Fabry disease

Fabry disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Familial hyperaldosteronism type I

Familial hyperaldosteronism type I is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sig...

General

Familial hyperaldosteronism type II

Familial hyperaldosteronism type II is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and si...

General

Familial hyperaldosteronism type III

Familial hyperaldosteronism type III is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and s...

General

Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine

Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms a...

General

Full NF2-related schwannomatosis

Full NF2-related schwannomatosis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs...

General

Full schwannomatosis

Full schwannomatosis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Gitelman syndrome

Gitelman syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Lipodystrophy, familial partial, type 7

Lipodystrophy, familial partial, type 7 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms an...

General

Meniere Disease

A disorder of the inner ear causing episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in ...

Ear, Nose & Throat

Meningioma

Meningioma is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

NF2-related schwannomatosis

A tumor-prone disorder characterized by the development of multiple schwannomas and meningiomas....

General

Polycythemia vera

Polycythemia vera is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Primary hyperaldosteronism-seizures-neurological abnormalities syndrome

Primary hyperaldosteronism-seizures-neurological abnormalities syndrome is a medical condition that may be ass...

General

Primary unilateral adrenal hyperplasia

Primary unilateral adrenal hyperplasia is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and...

General

Relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Susac syndrome

Susac syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Tinnitus

Perception of ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears without an external source....

Ear, Nose & Throat

Trichinellosis

Trichinellosis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Vertigo

The sensation of spinning or movement when still, often due to inner ear or neurological conditions....

Ear, Nose & Throat

Visual snow syndrome

Visual snow syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....

General

basal ganglia calcification, idiopathic, 11, autosomal recessive

basal ganglia calcification, idiopathic, 11, autosomal recessive is a medical condition that may be associated...

General

brain small vessel disease 6 with leukoencephalopathy

brain small vessel disease 6 with leukoencephalopathy is a medical condition that may be associated with vario...

General

episodic ataxia type 3

Episodic ataxia type 3 (EA3) is a very rare form of Hereditary episodic ataxia characterized by vestibular ata...

General

Tests

Tests providers may use to investigate tinnitus

When investigating tinnitus, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.

CBC with Differential

Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...

Sample: Blood

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...

Sample: Blood

Urinalysis

Examines urine content to help detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes....

Sample: Urine

Related

Symptoms commonly seen alongside tinnitus

When to seek care

Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if tinnitus is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the symptom tinnitus mean?

Tinnitus is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. Tinnitus is an auditory perception that can be described as the experience of sound, in the ear or in the head, in the absence of external acoustic stimulation.

Which conditions are associated with tinnitus?

Tinnitus has been reported in association with 32 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Acoustic Neuroma, Adrenocortical carcinoma with pure aldosterone hypersecretion, Arachnoiditis, Arnold-Chiari malformation type I, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1E. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.

Should I see a doctor about tinnitus?

You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.

Educational content only: The information on Symptom Database.com is for educational purposes and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider. Read our full disclaimer.