Clinical Evaluation of Tinnitus

Ronna Hertzano; Taylor B Teplitzky; David J Eisenman

doi:10.1016/j.nic.2015.12.004

Clinical Evaluation of Tinnitus

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2016 May;26(2):197-205. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2015.12.004. Epub 2016 Feb 28.

Authors

Ronna Hertzano¹, Taylor B Teplitzky¹, David J Eisenman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 16 South Eutaw Street, Suite 500, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
² Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 16 South Eutaw Street, Suite 500, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. Electronic address: deisenman@smail.umaryland.edu.

PMID: 27154603
DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2015.12.004

Abstract

The clinical evaluation of patients with tinnitus differs based on whether the tinnitus is subjective or objective. Subjective tinnitus is usually associated with a hearing loss, and therefore, the clinical evaluation is focused on an otologic and audiologic evaluation with adjunct imaging/tests as necessary. Objective tinnitus is divided into perception of an abnormal somatosound or abnormal perception of a normal somatosound. The distinction between these categories is usually possible based on a history, physical examination, and audiogram, leading to directed imaging to identify the underlying abnormality.

Keywords: Clinical evaluation; Objective tinnitus; Subjective tinnitus; Tinnitus.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Medical History Taking
Physical Examination
Tinnitus / diagnosis*