Name of the Procedure:

Assessment of Tinnitus (includes pitch, loudness matching, and masking)

Summary

This procedure evaluates the characteristics of tinnitus—such as its pitch and loudness— to help better understand the condition and guide treatment. It involves a series of hearing tests where you will listen to sounds and compare them to your tinnitus.

Purpose

The procedure addresses tinnitus, a condition where a person hears ringing, buzzing, or other sounds without external sources. The goal is to quantify the tinnitus to inform treatment options and potential therapies, improving the patient's quality of life.

Indications

• Persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears without an external source.
• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping due to tinnitus.
• Distress or anxiety caused by the perception of tinnitus.

Preparation

• No specific fasting or dietary restrictions.
• Avoid loud noise exposure for at least 24 hours before the appointment.
• Bring a list of current medications.
• Undergo a preliminary hearing test, if not done recently.

Procedure Description

1. The patient will sit in a sound-proof room wearing headphones.
2. The audiologist will play a series of tones to determine the pitch of the tinnitus by matching it with sounds.
3. Loudness matching will follow, where the patient identifies the volume that matches the perceived tinnitus.
4. Masking involves finding a sound that can cover or mask the tinnitus, providing temporary relief.
5. Data is collected and analyzed to gain insight into the patient's tinnitus.

Tools: Audiometer, sound-proof booth, headphones

Anesthesia: Not applicable

Duration

Approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

Setting

The procedure is performed in an audiology clinic or a specialized outpatient hearing center.

Personnel

• Audiologist
• Audiology technicians

Risks and Complications

• Temporary discomfort from loud sounds during the test.
• Rarely, increased perception of tinnitus during or after the test.

Possible Complications: While rare, if any increase in tinnitus perception occurs, it is usually temporary and can be managed by the audiologist.

Benefits

• Precise characterization of tinnitus.
• Helps in tailoring specific treatment or management plans.
• Can provide immediate relief through masking techniques for some patients.

Recovery

• Immediate return to normal activities.
• Follow-up appointments may be scheduled based on findings.
• No significant recovery time is needed.

Alternatives

• Subjective tinnitus questionnaires: Less precise.
• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): A more long-term treatment approach.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Addresses the psychological impacts.
• Medication: To manage associated symptoms like anxiety, although it doesn't quantify tinnitus.

Patient Experience

The patient may feel slight discomfort during loudness matching but generally does not experience pain. Audiologists will utilize comfort measures like adjustable volume levels and breaks as needed. The overall experience aims to be as comfortable as possible to facilitate accurate tinnitus assessment.