Troublesome tinnitus in children: epidemiology, audiological profile, and preliminary results of treatment.

Introduction. Although tinnitus often has a significant impact on individual's life, there are still few reports relating to tinnitus in children. In our tinnitus clinic, children with distressing tinnitus constitute about 0,5% of all our patients. Objectives. The aim of this study was to analyse children with troublesome tinnitus as regards epidemiology, audiological profile, and preliminary effects of the therapy. Methods. A retrospective study was carried out involving the cases of 143 children consulted in our Tinnitus Clinic in 2009. The selected group with troublesome tinnitus was evaluated and classified for proper category of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). Results. The study showed that 41.3% of the children suffered from bothersome tinnitus. In this group 44.1% of the patients demonstrated normal hearing. The success of the therapy after 6 months was estimated on 81.4% of significant improvement. Conclusions. It is recommended that a questionnaire include an inquiry about the presence of tinnitus during hearing screening tests.

Experiences in the treatment of patients with tinnitus and/or hyperacusis using the habituation method.

The purpose of this study was to summarize the results achieved by patients with tinnitus and/or hyperacusis during the Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. One hundred cases, out of 516 patients registered until January 1999 at the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Management Clinic, Warsaw, Poland, were examined. The patients have been treated for at least 10 months but not longer than 1 year. A questionnaire specially prepared for this program was used to assess the results. In the group of 100 cases, the results after a minimum of 10 months' therapy are different in each category but they show a significant improvement in about 70% of cases.

Effects of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) for patients with tinnitus and subjective hearing loss versus tinnitus only.

The patients with tinnitus and/or hyperacusis undergoing an 18-24 month period of TRT are divided into five categories of treatment. Different types of counselling and sound therapy are used in each category. Selection of patients into a specific category depends on such factors as: hyperacusis, subjective hearing loss and long-lasting effect of noise on tinnitus. The 108 cases were evaluated After 1 year of treatment. The results of therapy of 40 patients with tinnitus and subjective hearing loss (category II) were compared with the results of therapy of patients with tinnitus only (categories 0 and I). A special questionnaire, answered before and during the treatment, was used to assess the results. Our data indicate significant improvement in about 70% of patients with tinnitus only and in about 90% of patients with tinnitus and subjective hearing loss after one year of therapy.

Organization of tinnitus management in Poland.

Spontaneous idiopathic tinnitus is a significant interdisciplinary therapeutic problem. Based on different programs of tinnitus treatment, we organized a team of physicians, psychologists and engineers in order to establish the needs for the first Tinnitus Clinic in Poland. At the same time, together with number of clinical centres, scientific societies and non-governmental organizations, we carried out training and an information campaign throughout the country and initiated the first epidemiological studies survey about tinnitus in Poland. Over a period of 2 years we have provided care for almost 1000 patients, including them in a IS 24-month therapeutic program at the clinic. As a method of choice, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) based on a neurophysiological model of tinnitus origin is used. We present here epidemiological data on tinnitus and hyperacusis in Poland.