What does tinnitus refer to?

Tinnitus specifically refers to the perception of noise or ringing in the ears that is not caused by external sounds. It can manifest as various sounds that individuals may hear, including ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other noises that can vary in intensity and frequency. This condition is often associated with hearing loss, exposure to loud noises, ear infections, or age-related changes in hearing. Understanding tinnitus is essential, particularly in the context of stroke healthcare, as it could be a symptom associated with auditory processing problems following a cerebrovascular event.

The other options describe different conditions: loss of hearing pertains to a decrease in auditory perception, partial paralysis refers to the loss of muscle function in a part of the body, and severe ear pain is often linked to ear infections or other conditions affecting the ear, rather than the subjective sound of ringing itself.