What does "tinnitus" describe?

Tinnitus is a condition that is characterized by the perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present. The experience can vary from person to person, and the sounds described can range from ringing to buzzing, hissing, or even clicking. The common thread in all these experiences is that the sound is perceived internally and can be continuous or intermittent.

The term "tinnitus" specifically denotes this auditory phenomenon, making it distinct from other hearing-related issues. For example, loss of hearing refers to a reduction in the ability to hear sounds, but does not include the perception of sound without an external source. Buzzing sounds in the throat are not related to tinnitus, nor are echoes in an empty room, which might be related to acoustics rather than the internal perception of sound in the ears. Thus, the description of "continuous ringing in the ears" aligns perfectly with the definition of tinnitus.