[Expert assessment of tinnitus in statutory accident insurance]

Tinnitus is defined as hearing sensation without external noise source. The aetiology contains also occupational causes such as noise industrial pollution and inner ear trauma, nevertheless the origin of tinnitus is vastly unexplained. For the expert assessment in the public insurance a step-by-step procedure is recommended: Is there a tinnitus? Was the accused cause able to provoke tinnitus? How profound is the insured person hindered in his individual work ability by the tinnitus and potential psycho vegetative reactions? In this publication hints for tinnitus-matching and for expert opinion related questions are given: is there a noise-caused tinnitus in the low frequencies? Is it possible that a noise-induced tinnitus worsens after retirement? Can stress be a potential candidate to evoke tinnitus? Under which circumstances a psychiatric assessment can be necessary? In the assessment of tinnitus crucial differences between public accident insurance, civil right, public health and handicap right are explained.