Tinnitus: Origins, Assessment, and Management

Course Description

Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound in the absence of an external sound stimulus. A symptom rather than a disease, tinnitus can be debilitating for many patients. Unfortunately, patients seeking help for tinnitus from physicians are often given inaccurate, outdated, and ineffective information. Recent research has led to an understanding of the mechanisms of tinnitus, and contributed to evidence-based management options.

This lecture begins with a brief update on the anatomic origins of bothersome tinnitus and on factors contributing to tinnitus onset and severity. Then, clinical guidelines for assessment and management of tinnitus are reviewed. The objective is to provide physicians with practical information for effectively advising patients with bothersome tinnitus.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify risk factors for tinnitus
• Define mechanisms of tinnitus
• Appreciate management options for patients with debilitating tinnitus