S3-Leitlinie zu chronischem Tinnitus überarbeitet: Was derzeit zu Diagnostik und Therapie empfohlen wird und was nicht

[Tinnitus counseling in a specialized ambulanz and a attempt to identify relevant "interactional" factors for outcome]

One aim of our large-scale catamnesis was to prove that neuro-otological diagnostics and knowledge are a fundamental prerequisite in counseling, but also that the counterpart, the patient, has to be reached in his or her distress. For this purpose, we had developed an own 6-part scaled questionnaire on the understanding of the counseled and on the feeling of being understood as a patient. Through its evaluation we had hoped to obtain reliable findings with regard to individual effect factors.Therefore we had mailed to 699 outpatients who had been counseled by us. In 295, the hearing findings, the Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire (TF 12) and the Hospitality Anxiety and Depression Scores (HADS) could be compared at two measurement points at least 6 months apart.While counseling was found to be sustainable in symptom reduction and compliance to implement recommended interventions, no significant single interactional factor in counseling was detected by our examiation after proper statistics were obtained.In the article, the steps taken and corrections made are also pointed out with regard to the appropriate statistical approach, also to point out that primarily clinicians often need the support of trained statisticians.

Tinnitus Prevalence in the Adult Population-Results from the Gutenberg Health Study

Background and Objectives: Tinnitus is a common symptom in medical practice, although data on its prevalence vary. As the underlying pathophysiological mechanism is still not fully understood, hearing loss is thought to be an important risk factor for the occurrence of tinnitus. The aim of this study was to assess tinnitus prevalence in a large German cohort and to determine its dependence on hearing impairment. Materials and Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study and representative for the population of Mainz and its district. Participants were asked whether they suffer from tinnitus and how much they are burdened by it. Extensive audiological examinations using bone- and air-conduction were also performed. Results: 4942 participants (mean age: 61.0, 2550 men and 2392 women) were included in the study. The overall prevalence of tinnitus was 26.1%. Men were affected significantly more often than women. The prevalence of tinnitus increased with age, peaking at ages 75 to 79 years. Considering only annoying tinnitus, the prevalence was 9.8%. Logistic regression showed that participants with severe to complete hearing loss (>65 dB) were more likely to have tinnitus. Conclusions: Tinnitus is a common symptom, and given demographic changes, its prevalence is expected to increase.