Tinnitus Flashcards
1
Q
What is Tinnitus?
A
Persistent additional sound heard but not present in the surrounding environment - ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming noise.
2
Q
Pathophysiology of Tinnitus.
A
Result of background sensory signal produced by the cochlea not effectively filtered out by the central auditory system.
3
Q
Aetiology of Tinnitus.
A
- Primary - Idiopathic (associated with Sensorineural Hearing Loss).
- Secondary.
- Objective (able to auscultate).
4
Q
Aetiology of Secondary Tinnitus.
A
- Impacted Ear Wax.
- Ear Infection.
- Ménière’s disease.
- Noise Exposure.
- Medications.
- Acoustic Neuroma.
- Multiple Sclerosis.
- Trauma.
- Depression.
- Systemic Conditions.
5
Q
Medications that can cause Tinnitus (3).
A
- Loop Diuretics.
- Gentamicin.
- Chemotherapy Drugs.
- Aspirin and NSAIDs.
6
Q
Systemic Condition Causes of Tinnitus (4).
A
- Anaemia.
- Diabetes.
- Thyroid Disease.
- Hyperlipidaemia.
7
Q
Aetiology of Objective Tinnitus (4).
A
- Carotid Artery Stenosis - Pulsatile Bruit.
- Aortic Stenosis - Radiating Pulsatile Murmur.
- AV Malformation - Pulsatile.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction - Pop/Click.
8
Q
Investigations of Tinnitus.
A
- Blood Tests.
- Audiology - Hearing.
- Imaging - Rarely (Underlying Cause).
9
Q
Blood Tests in Tinnitus (4).
A
- FBC - Anaemia.
- Glucose - Diabetes.
- TSH - Thyroid Disease.
- Lipids - Hyperlipidaemia.
10
Q
Imaging in Tinnitus.
A
- Unilateral/Neurology/Otology - MRI Internal Auditory Meatuses.
- Pulsatile - MRA.
11
Q
Red Flags of Tinnitus (7).
A
- Unilateral.
- Pulsatile.
- Hyperacusis (Hypersensitivity, Pain, Distress with Environmental Sounds).
- Associated Unilateral Hearing Loss, Sudden Onset Hearing Loss.
- Associated Vertigo/Dizziness, Headaches/Visual Symptoms.
- Associated Neurology.
- Suicidal Ideation (related to Tinnitus).
12
Q
Management of Tinnitus (4).
A
- Treat Underlying Cause.
- Hearing Aids.
- Sound Therapy - Add Background Noise to Mask Tinnitus.
- CBT.
13
Q
Prognosis of Tinnitus.
A
Improves/Resolves without any interventions over time.
