The Use of Implants in the Management of Tinnitus

Abstract

Program Description: Tinnitus is one of the most common health problems in the United States and recent figures show that tinnitus is increasing in frequency. As otolaryngologists we are the primary specialty responsible for the diagnosis and management of tinnitus. Despite a great deal of work in this area definitive treatment options for tinnitus are lacking in many cases. Recognizing the importance of this issue the AAO-HNSF and the Martha Entenmann Tinnitus Foundation have endowed a series of miniseminars to address tinnitus. This year’s panel will once again be comprised of national and international experts who will discuss advances in tinnitus treatment using implantable devices. The panel will discuss the use of cochlear implants, implantable hearing aids, and other, more novel, implantable devices. In particular the presenters will focus on the physiologic basis for tinnitus response to electrical or mechanical stimulation, cases series and outcomes, and patient selection for various treatments. The panel will finish by discussing several cases and will provide time for audience questions. Educational Objectives: 1) Better understand treatment options for tinnitus. 2) Better understand the principals that support the use of electrical stimulation in tinnitus. 3) Provide a more clear understanding of the impact of cochlear implants on tinnitus.