Tinnitus Assessment / 한양의대학술지

ABSTRACT

Tinnitus is a common medical condition where patients perceive unwanted noise in the absence of environmental stimuli. However, it is very difficult to find out definite causes of each patient's tinnitus. According to tinnitus classification systems, there are many different diagnostic tools. Representatively, tinnitus can be divided into objective and subjective tinnitus. Also, there are many etiologic factors for each classified tinnitus. Tinnitus assessment is defined as finding out the exact cause of tinnitus and prediction of treatment effect. It starts from history taking and physical examination to audiologic evaluations. Also, it is an important part in the relationship with the patient, as well as tinnitus objectification in the treatment process. And, it affects the consequent management of tinnitus. Otherwise, assessment of tinnitus is a challenging task due its subjective nature. Therefore, a multidimensional diagnostic approach to tinnitus is very important in appropriate treatment of tinnitus and in predicting the effect of the management.