Tympanosympathetic anesthesia for tinnitus aurium and secondary otalgia.

TINNITUS aurium is frequently a symptom of disease of the inner ear and often a symptom of disease of the middle ear. In the absence of an active pathologic process in the ear, tinnitus is the result of a constitutional disorder. While the exact physiologic mechanism of this distressing symptom has not been explained satisfactorily, a number of theories have been proposed, none of which, however, has been proved therapeutically. In the appraisal of all aural symptoms, tinnitus is the most distressing, and it often is of such annoyance as to cause the patient constant torture. This distressing situation produces an inability to concentrate and prevents the carrying out of routine daily duties. In addition, it often becomes worse during the night and prevents adequate sleep and rest. In many persons tinnitus finally produces mental depression and other mental disorders. Tinnitus aurium per se is a symptom localized to the