Current Management of Chronic Tinnitus in a Multidisciplinary Approach (2022 AMW)
2022 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
Despite being a common condition that affects nearly 15% of the population, and despite much research progress made in the recent years, tinnitus persists a scientific enigma and remains difficult to treat in daily clinical practice. Tinnitus is known to be a heterogeneous condition, both in the way of manifestation and of generation.This presentation will provide information on the concept of a multidisciplinary approach in tinnitus management. Since the challenges of modern tinnitus management are not covered by any single specialty close collaboration across specialties is important. Core competences of a multidisciplinary tinnitus clinic (Otology, Audiology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Neuroradiology, Physiotherapy, Dental Medicine) will enable an individualized and step-wise diagnostic assessment and therapeutic management. The presentation will demonstrate state-of-the-art procedures in history-taking (questionnaires), audiological assessment and neuroradiological measurements and will have a particular focus on the screening for psychiatric co-morbidity. The heterogeneity culminates in the challenge for tinnitus treatment: A uniformly effective treatment for all tinnitus patients is unlikely. For each individual patient, a personalized treatment plan has to be developed, considering the tinnitus profile, the co-morbidity, the psychological distress and the previous treatment experiences of the patient. This presentation will give an overview on the most important aspects of the contemporary therapeutic management of tinnitus. Finally, sentences such as "you just have to live with it" should be avoided and, on the other hand, those affected should be given hope, encouragement and realistic expectations about the course of treatment. Outcome Objectvies:
Credits
CME:1.0, MOC:1.0