Abstract
The origins of tinnitus are not confined to diseases of the auditory system, but this symptom is also seen in patients with other somatic and/or psychological disturbances. It is sometimes a danger signal of hidden serious diseases.
It is, therefore, important to know how often and in what disease this symptom is found. Questionnaires were filled by doctors during history taking in the outpatient clinic. The number of patients with tinnitus were;
1. Orthopedic clinic
diseases of cervical vertebrae 11.3% (18/160)
thoracic and lumbar vertebrae 0.6% (2/340)
2. Neurosurgery clinic
infratentorial tumors 44.4% (16/36)
supratentorial tumors 3.3% (2/61)
3. Gynecology clinic
climacteric 37.5% (30/80)
4. Internal medicine clinic
i) diabetes mellitus 16.0% (23/144)
ii) chronic nephritis (under dialysis) 40.5% (47/116)
5. Ophthalmology clinic
hypertensive and diabetic retinopathy 38.5% (37/96)
