ABSTRACT
The word tinnitus originates from the Latin tinnire, which means ‘ring, jingle or clink’. Tinnitus can be categorized into subjective or objective. Subjective tinnitus can be described as a perception of sound in the absence of an external stimulus. Objective tinnitus (accounting for only 1 per cent of tinnitus presentations1) is a perception of sound caused by an internal stimulus, such as vascular abnormalities, especially if the tinnitus is described as pulsatile. Tinnitus affects around 15 per cent of the population,2 but this percentage appears to be on the increase, with some reports nearer to 20 per cent. Theories for this include the increased use of headphones, particularly from a younger age, and
an increased awareness about tinnitus and higher health expectations.3
