Article,
Clinical evaluation of tinnitus - a review
Audiological Medicine, (2003)
Abstract
Tinnitus is a common symptom occurring in 10-15% of the general population.
Different methods for the assessment of tinnitus, such as clinical
gradings, psychoacoustical measurements and questionnaires are described,
but also objective methods, e.g. imaging and brain functions. Judging
from the literature and personal research, the relationships between
the severity of tinnitus and psychological factors such as depression
and poor concentration seem to more clearly demonstrated than those
derived by psychoacoustical measurements. There is a demand for robust
measurements of tinnitus, but there is no consensus in the grading
of its severity. Our suggestion is to assess tinnitus suffering in
adults (18-65 years) by its impact on working capacity. In the evaluation
of tinnitus a tinnitus-specific questionnaire is useful, as well
as a non-diagnosis-specific health questionnaire. The Tinnitus Severity
Questionnaire (TSQ) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) are suggested.
In the evaluation of rehabilitation program effects, visual analogue
scales appear to be valuable. The association of psychological/psychiatric
factors with the suffering of tinnitus must be taken into account
early in the clinical assessement of tinnitus.
