Tinnitus Diagnosis

If person think that he has tinnitus then he should seen to the physician generally neurotologist or otologist.

General Ear Exam:

There should be an ear examination with otoscope. Removes the wax and examiner note whether ear drum is inflamed, infactm scarred or moving.

The eyes must be examined for checking papilloedema because if swelling is at the back portion of eyes called "optic disk" then tinnitus can cause because of the pressure. Ppapilloedema is very rare condition and tinnitus is so common so it is very hard to find this condition.

Middle Ear Exam:

The common disease is tensor tympani syndrome which results in contraction of ear drum and creates sounds which is audible to examiner. In this case sound is like thumping noises same as tympani. Rhythmic changes can document by Impedance Bridge in ear drum compliance.

Stapedius myoclonus syndrome:

No any movement of palate in stapedius myoclonus syndrome such as stapedius doesn't insert in to eardrum but rather on to stapes.

Recommended Lab testing for tinnitus:

  • Audiogram with Tinnitus Matching and tympanogram
    • Tests of central auditory processing
    • Testing for hyperacusis
  • Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) or MRI scan of the brain
  • Acoustic reflex test
  • ECOG
  • OAE
  • Blood tests

The patients suffering from tinnitus can tests as given below:

  • Because of masking from tinnitus, audiogram shows sensorineural deficit.
  • For identifying the intensity and frequency of tinnitus, tinnitus matching is very helpful. In this procedure, audiologist adjusts the sound till the patient specifies that it is same as that of tinnitus.
  • ABR testing can show slight abnormalities in tinnitus person. The main purpose of the ABR test is to help in diagnosing the tinnitus because of tumor of eighth nerve or tinnitus because of central process.
  • Acoustic reflex tests or tympanograms can show rhythmic compliance change due to vascular mass of middle ear or because of contraction of the muscles in middle ear.
  • The physician can also suggest OAE test, an ECOG test, an MRI or MRA test, blood test and the VEMP test.

Neuropsych testing:

The neuropsychological test is occasional test in which simple screening questionnaire is used on anxiety, depression, and OCD are common in the persons suffering from tinnitus. Treatment of this is very helpful.