TINNITUS

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A ringing sound heard in the ear, commonly caused by prolonged exposure to loud sound, or even short exposure to very loud sound. It may be temporary or chronic, and may occur as the result of taking drugs such as aspirin. It is thought to be produced by a spontaneous firing of the hair cells in the ORGAN OF CORTI.

Compare: ACOASMA, ACOUSTIC TRAUMA, DIPLACUSIS, HEARING LOSS, HYPERACUSIS, PRESBYCUSIS, RECRUITMENT, THRESHOLD SHIFT.

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