Introduction of Tinnitus Clinic in Osaka University Hospital

Abstract

We have examined and treated patients with tinnitus in our clinic. Standard methods of tinnitus evaluation determined by the Japan Audiological
Society in 1984 were used for examinations including psychosomatic tests by questionnaire (depression score, CMI, MAS), measurements of Residual Inhibition, uncomfortable loudness levels, and contingent negative variation (CNV), as well as xylocaine tests.
Therapy for tinnitus patients has included drugs, maskers, electrica l stimulation of the promontrium, and resectioning of the eighth nerve.
Salient results of some of the above-mention ed tests include: 53.4% of patients having depressive conditions by depression tests,25.6% of patients scoring type III or IV by CMI tests; and 56.1% of patients having grade I or II MAS test scores, indicating anxiety.
Moreover, the CNV amplitudes of tinnitus patients were significantly larger than those of normal persons.
The results of drug therapy in tinnitus patients revealed sulpiride to be remarkably effective for depressive tinnitus patients, bifemelan hydrochloride to be effective for patients aged over 50 years, particularly for those patients with hypertension, and tizanidine hydrochloride to be effective for tinnitus patients with symptoms caused by abnormal muscle tension.