A worker is complaining of ringing in his ears. Which statement is correct?

• A. Tinnitus can result in disturbed sleep
• B. Tinnitus can cause nausea
• C. Tinnitus is a sign of fatigue only
• D. Tinnitus always disappears within an hour

Answer: (A)

Tinnitus is a perception of sound without an external source, often linked to noise exposure and potential hearing damage. It can be intrusive enough to disrupt sleep, making it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, which is why tinnitus can result in disturbed sleep is the best statement. The other options aren’t universal truths: nausea isn’t a typical or constant consequence of tinnitus (it may occur with related vestibular disorders but isn’t a defining feature of tinnitus itself), fatigue isn’t the sole sign of tinnitus, and tinnitus does not always disappear within an hour—some cases persist or become chronic.