TINNITUS: CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT Nurbaiti Nazarudin
Department of Ear Nose Throat-Head and Neck Surgery Faculty of Medicine Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani-Rumah Sakit Dustira, Cimahi, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
Abstract
Tinnitus is the perception of sound that has no external source. The sensation is commonly describe as ringing in the ear, but the sound can be perceived inside or outside the head or predominanly in one or both ears. Prevalence of tinnitus of 10-25 % among persons older than 18 years of age across various nationalities. The prevalence tinnitus increases with age. Tinnitus is categorized as primary and secondary. Primary tinnitus more common and it is idiopathic, and most cases are associated with sensorineural hearing loss. Secondary tinnitus results from sound generated by a source near the ear or referred to the ear, and is rare, accounting for less than 1%. Secondary tinnitus has an identifiable cause, such as infectious, metabolic, neurologic, otologic, somatic, toxicologic, traumatic and vascular. Comprehensive audiologic evaluation should be performed for patients who report hearing difficulties, persistent tinnitus for more than 6 months, or unilateral tinnitus. The results of these evaluation will determine additional audiometric tests or diagnostic imaging. Treatments o reduce awareness of tinnitus and tinnitus-related distress include cognitive behavioral therapy, acoustic stimulaion and educational counseling. No medications, supplements, or herbal remedies have been shown to substantially reduce the severity of tinnitus.
