Tinnitus reclassified; new oil in an old lamp.

This article represents a compilation of study, research, and patient care during a 30-year period. Its development was based on two tenets: (1) keep it simple and (2) be inclusive. The purpose of the classification system was to provide professionals with a vehicle for describing tinnitus and its location, probable cause, loudness, degree of annoyance, and pitch. The system uses two mnemonics to follow the word tinnitus: (1) A, B, or C for tinnitus Aurium, Binaural, or Cerebri; and C-CLAP for Cause, Composition, Loudness, Annoyance, and Pitch. Four descriptions are presented on how this classification system may be used in the clinician's report.