Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
07:05
A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training
Published on: August 24, 2017
Tinnitus: etiology, classification, characteristics, and treatment
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario L5C 4E9, Canada.
Discovery Medicine
|October 17, 2009
Summary
Tinnitus, the perception of sound without external stimulus, affects 10% of people. Differentiating subjective and objective tinnitus is key for effective diagnosis and management of this common auditory symptom.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Audiology
Background:
- Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external acoustic source, affecting about 10% of the global population.
- This symptom can significantly impair daily activities and quality of life for affected individuals.
- A wide range of conditions can cause tinnitus, necessitating a thorough diagnostic approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the essential distinctions between subjective and objective tinnitus.
- To outline a general diagnostic and management strategy for tinnitus patients.
- To facilitate timely and accurate identification of tinnitus causes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of tinnitus causes and diagnostic approaches.
- Discussion of differential diagnoses for subjective and objective tinnitus.
- Presentation of a systematic approach to patient evaluation.
Main Results:
- Subjective tinnitus is far more common and typically related to auditory pathway dysfunction.
- Objective tinnitus, though rarer, can indicate specific vascular or muscular abnormalities.
- Effective management hinges on accurate classification and identification of the underlying etiology.
Conclusions:
- Differentiating between subjective and objective tinnitus is crucial for appropriate clinical management.
- A structured approach aids in the timely diagnosis of the diverse causes of tinnitus.
- Understanding tinnitus subtypes guides targeted therapeutic interventions for improved patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Hearing
When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.
01:21Perceiving Loudness, Pitch, and Location
The human brain perceives pitch through two primary mechanisms reflected in place theory and frequency theory. Each mechanism describes how sound waves are interpreted as specific pitches by the brain, offering insights into the intricate processes of auditory perception.
Place theory, or place coding, suggests that different pitches are heard because various sound waves activate specific locations along the cochlea's basilar membrane. The brain determines the pitch of a sound by identifying...
Place theory, or place coding, suggests that different pitches are heard because various sound waves activate specific locations along the cochlea's basilar membrane. The brain determines the pitch of a sound by identifying...
01:15Auditory Pathway
Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
01:13The Cochlea
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
01:16Anatomy of the Ear
Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
01:30Tonsillitis I: Introduction
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are two lymphoid tissue masses at the back of the throat. This condition can cause discomfort and irritation in the throat.
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.