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Tinnitus

Donna I. Meltzer, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Tinnitus is a perceived sensation of sound in the absence of an external acoustic stimulus; often described as a ringing, hissing, buzzing, clicking, or whooshing

  • Derived from the Lat...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Onset gradual (presbycusis) or abrupt (following loud noise exposure)

  • Duration: acute vs. chronic (greater than 6 months)

  • Timing: can be continuous (hearing loss) or intermittent (Méniè...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Individualize treatment based on the severity of tinnitus and impact on function.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy, education, relaxation therapy

  • Reassure patient.

  • Manage treatable ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Audiologist: for hearing evaluation and therapy

  • Counseling: as needed for psychological distress

  • Family physician: as needed for support and guidance

PATIENT EDUCATION

REFERENCES

1
Tunkel  DE, Bauer  CA, Sun  GH, et al. Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus executive summary. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.  2014;151(4):533–541. [View Abstrac...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

Grundfast KM, Jamil TL. Evaluation and Management of Tinnitus: Are There Opportunities for Improvement? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023;168(1):45...

CODES

ICD10

  • H93.19 Tinnitus, unspecified ear

  • H93.11 Tinnitus, right ear

  • H93.12 Tinnitus, left ear

  • H93.13 Tinnitus, bilateral

SNOMED

  • 60862001 Tinnitus (finding)

  • 62452009 Subjective tinnitus

  • 28715001 Objective ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • People have different levels of tolerance to tinnitus. It may affect sleep, concentration, and emotional state. Many patients with chronic tinnitus have depression.

  • To keep tinnitus fro...

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