Tinnitus

Question 1

What is tinnitus?

Answer 1

The perception of sounds in the ears or head that do not come from an outside source

Question 2

What is tinnitus most commonly associated with?

Answer 2

Hearing loss which may be conductive, sensorineural or mixed hearing loss.

Question 3

What investigation is done when someone presents with tinnitus?

Answer 3

Audiological assessment

Question 4

When might imaging be considered in someone presenting with tinnitus?

Answer 4

Unilateral or there are other neurological or ontological signs

Question 5

What is the first line imaging used when someone presents with tinnitus?

Answer 5

MRI of the internal auditory meatuses (IAM)

Question 6

What type of tinnitus always requires imaging?

Answer 6

Pulsatile tinnitus

Question 7

Why would pulsatile tinnitus require imaging?

Answer 7

Because there is usually an underlying vascular cause

Question 8

What is normally used to investigate pulsatile tinnitus?

Answer 8

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

Question 9

What is the main cause of tinnitus?

Answer 9

Idiopathic

Question 10

What are possible causes of tinnitus?

Answer 10

Sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL)
Meniere’s disease
Otosclerosis

Question 11

What are the possible drug causes of tinnitus?

Answer 11

Aspirin
Aminoglycosides (e.g. Gentamicin
Loop diuretics
Quinine