In the year 2001 the Loudness Discomfort Level LDL was examined by a standard clinical audiometer on frequencies 250-6000Hz in 128 patients (248 ears) suffering from tinnitus,who were treated in our tinnitus office. The results of this examination were compared with the results of LDL examination in 20 subjects (40 ears), with normal hearing and without tinnitus. In all subjects with normal hearing the average threshold of discomfort on frequencies 250-6000Hz higher than 90dBwas found. In patients suffering fromtinnitus the average threshold of discomfort was significantly lower than 90dB. According to the above mentioned facts we suppose that patients suffering fromtinnit us have lower LDL - the Loundess Discomfort Level than normal hearing subjects without tinnitus. We hypothesize that the hyperacusis can be either a possible genetic condition of tinnitus origin in connection with a suitable trigger mechanism for example a long term noise exposure or it is the consequence of tinnitus.

        Key words: Loundess Discomfort Level, Treshold of Discomfort, tinnitus hyperacusis.