Tinnitus of futures past: Modern tinnitus clinical practice guidelines and the practice of Edmund Prince Fowler Snr (1872–1966)

Abstract

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external sound source. Fifty years ago Edmund Prince Fowler Snr (1872–1966) was one of the world's leading tinnitus clinicians. In this review, Fowler's practice is compared to the clinical practice guidelines for tinnitus recently released by the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Despite half a century passing since Fowler's last publication, his approach to tinnitus is, in many ways, still best practice. Fowler's progressive approach to tinnitus and focus on the individual is still a benchmark for current and future practice, and an example of how we can learn from the past.