Introduction: Tinnitus and sound intolerance are frequent and subjective complaints that may have an impact on a patient's quality of life.
Objective: To present a review of the salient points including concepts, pathophysiology, diagnosis and approach of the patient with tinnitus and sensitivity to sounds.
Methods: Literature review with bibliographic survey in LILACS, SciELO, Pubmed and MEDLINE database.
Unlabelled: Tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS) is an involuntary, anxiety-based condition where the reflex threshold for tensor tympani muscle activity is reduced, causing a frequent spasm. This can trigger aural symptoms from tympanic membrane tension, middle ear ventilation alterations and trigeminal nerve irritability. TTTS is considered to cause the distinctive symptoms of acoustic shock (AS), which can develop after exposure to an unexpected loud sound perceived as highly threatening.
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