What is tinnitus characterized by?

Tinnitus is characterized primarily by the perception of sound without an external source, most commonly described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling. Individuals experiencing tinnitus may hear these phantom sounds in one or both ears, and the volume can vary from faint to loud. This condition can arise from various causes, including exposure to loud noises, ear infections, hearing loss, or earwax buildup, among others.

The other choices refer to different auditory or ear-related issues. Pain in the inner ear indicates a medical condition that is not specific to tinnitus. Sudden loss of hearing, while a serious concern, is not a defining characteristic of tinnitus itself. Inflammation of the outer ear (otitis externa) does not pertain to the subjective sound perception that defines tinnitus. Overall, the unique aspect of tinnitus is its hallmark feature of hearing sounds that are not present in the environment, making the first choice the most accurate.