Tinnitus is a common symptom, not a disease. Because tinnitus is the perception of sound, it is closely associated with the hearing system. Thus, there is an anticipation that it is caused by problems and disease processes affecting one or more parts of the ear or the nerve pathways associated with hearing. Indeed various parts of the hearing system are often responsible for the symptom of tinnitus. There are cases where a direct link may be established between some type of hearing problem and the appearance and presence of tinnitus. Other times, there may not be a readily identifiable problem affecting the different components of the hearing system. In some situations, problems affecting other parts of the human organism can also result in tinnitus. This can be important because in some cases when the other ailment is treated, the tinnitus can disappear. However, other times, the tinnitus may persist after the most likely cause has been treated or has resolved.

The Anatomy of Tinnitus

Perhaps a better way of thinking about tinnitus is by which specific anatomical site of the hearing system might cause this symptom. Thus, we may want to consider sites such as the ear canal, the middle ear, inner ear and central auditory pathways. This way of thinking about tinnitus parallels how we think of diagnosing hearing loss. The advantage of this approach to tinnitus is that it may relate better to specific causes and may ultimately relate better to specific treatments.