Classification and epidemiology of tinnitus.

One third of all adults report experiencing tinnitus at some time in their lives. Ten percent to 15% have prolonged tinnitus requiring medical evaluation. Classification of tinnitus requires a thorough history and physical examination, supplemented by appropriate diagnostic tests. Tinnitus can be categorized according to its qualities (as described by the patient and matched on the audiometer) and its clinical type (as suggested by probable etiology). Audiologic testing, tinnitus analysis, and occasional radiologic studies assist with classification and direction of treatment planning. The THI is another method of classification that can facilitate the precise monitoring of a patient's progress. By using these tools and standardizing the language, tinnitus studies around the world can become more comparable and patients can be better monitored for treatment response.

[1]  C. Schoenborn,et al.  Current estimates from the National Health Interview Survey. , 1988, Vital and health statistics. Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey.

[2]  A. Shulman.  Clinical classification of subjective idiopathic tinnitus. , 1981, The Journal of laryngology and otology. Supplement.

[3]  M. Meikle,et al.  The Perceived Severity of Tinnitus: Some Observations Concerning a Large Population of Tinnitus Clinic Patients , 1984, Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

[4]  R. Coles,et al.  Tinnitus and its management. , 1987, British medical bulletin.

[5]  D Baguley,et al.  Guidelines for the grading of tinnitus severity: the results of a working group commissioned by the British Association of Otolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons, 1999. , 2001, Clinical otolaryngology and allied sciences.

[6]  A. Sismanis.  Pulsatile tinnitus. A 15-year experience. , 1998, The American journal of otology.

[7]  J B Spitzer,et al.  Development of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. , 1996, Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery.

[8]  A Axelsson,et al.  Tinnitus--a study of its prevalence and characteristics. , 1989, British journal of audiology.

[9]  P. F. Adams,et al.  Current estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 1996. , 1999, Vital and health statistics. Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey.

[10]  V. Goodhill.  The management of tinnitus , 1950, The Laryngoscope.

[11]  Ben-David,et al.  Tinnitus in Children - Still a Neglected Problem. , 1995, The international tinnitus journal.

[12]  R. Coles,et al.  Epidemiology of tinnitus: (2) Demographic and clinical features , 1984, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

[13]  R. Nodar,et al.  Pediatric tinnitus (a thesis revisited) , 1984, Journal of Laryngology and Otology.

[14]  A. Shulman.  Tinnitus: Diagnosis/Treatment , 1991 .

[15]  D. Y. Chung,et al.  Factors affecting the prevalence of tinnitus. , 1984, Audiology : official organ of the International Society of Audiology.

[16]  R. Coles,et al.  Epidemiology of tinnitus: (1) Prevalence , 1984, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

[17]  R. Nodar.  Tinnitus Aurium: An Approach to Classification , 1978, Otolaryngology.

[18]  A. Davis,et al.  The prevalence of hearing impairment and reported hearing disability among adults in Great Britain. , 1989, International journal of epidemiology.

[19]  P. F. Adams,et al.  Current estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 1994. , 1995, Vital and health statistics. Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey.

[20]  Ronald Klein,et al.  Prevalence and 5-year incidence of tinnitus among older adults: the epidemiology of hearing loss study. , 2002, Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.

[21]  J. Graham.  Tinnitus in children with hearing loss. , 1981, Ciba Foundation symposium.

[22]  Richard S. Hallam,et al.  Cognitive variables in tinnitus annoyance. , 1988, The British journal of clinical psychology.

[23]  A. Quaranta,et al.  Epidemiology of hearing problems among adults in Italy. , 1996, Scandinavian audiology. Supplementum.

[24]  D. Adrian,et al.  The epidemiology of tinnitus , 2000 .

[25]  E Douek.  Classification of tinnitus. , 1981, Ciba Foundation symposium.

[26]  J. Salonen,et al.  Association of serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking and hypertension with different manifestations of atherosclerosis. , 1990, International journal of epidemiology.