Acouasm

/əˈkuːæzəm/ noun

Definition

A ringing or buzzing sound heard in the ear; a type of tinnitus or auditory hallucination.

Etymology

From Greek akoustikos (of hearing) plus the suffix -asm (condition). Medical term from the 19th century describing subjective auditory sensations.

Kelly Says

Medieval doctors called acouasms 'demons in the ear' and treated them by drilling holes in skulls—we now know it's usually just your brain misfiring, but the mystery of where the sound comes from still fascinates neuroscientists.

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