[Origin and effect on tinnitus (author's transl)]

At first the essential conceptions concerning tinnitus in connection with sensorineural hearing losses are reported. Correlation of tinnitus with the pure tone threshold and spontaneous activities are proved by electrophysiologic and psychoacoustic tests. The sensation arising by the tinnitus concerning tonal quality and loudness is compared with external signals (Part I). Typical masking patterns by external signals in sensorineural hearing loss are explained. Phenomens concerning fatigue and adaption are shown up. Masking and temporal shift of tinnitus when masked where investigated for experimental generated tinnitus (part II). Using typical pathological threshold types a classification in correlation with tinnitus was conducted. Typical examples are presented (Part III). Finally the results of our investigations are discussed, especially the aspect of hearing loss, spontaneous activities and their pathological substrat. A hypothetic model as well as latest conceptions are presented. The possibilities for treatment and the cause of therapy resistance of tinnitus in cases of sensorineural hearing losses are discussed (Part IV).