Tinnitus Clinic

Tinnitus, what is it?

Tinnitus is a sound heard in your head or in your ears (one side or both) in the absence of an external sound source. It may be continuous, intermittent or occasional. It can be in the form of hissing, buzzing, crackling, noise wave, wind, locust, and can sometimes look like music. The sound of tinnitus and the perceived intensity varies from one person to another.

Between 10 and 15% of the adult population reported a continuous tinnitus. Tinnitus can often be a symptom of hearing loss; that’s why an otorhinolaryngology and audiology consultations are recommended.

Services offered at the Polyclinique Centre-Ville

Following a complete audiological evaluation, the audiologist may offer a specialized attention for tinnitus to help you in a better understanding and managing of your tinnitus. This monitoring usually takes place in two visits of one hour each.

The first appointment is a specific evaluation of tinnitus and its connected inconvenient. By the use of questionnaires about your medical history specific to your tinnitus and to other problems, we can evaluate the inconvenience connected to tinnitus. The audiologist also proceed to an assessment, in a soundproof booth, of the tone and intensity of your tinnitus.

The second visit is a meeting to share with you the information and management of your tinnitus.

The information is transmitted via the use of an exclusive PowerPoint presentation, created by AudioSanté on tinnitus (description, causes, influencing factors and solutions to reduce the inconvenience linked to tinnitus). Thereafter, the audiologist will establish an action plan that the patient will undertake.

A telephone follow-up is done one month after the last meeting, to assess the effectiveness of strategies put in place. Additional meetings can be offered if necessary.

Stress and fatigue are factors known to modulate the perception of tinnitus, that is to say, during a period of intense stress, tinnitus can be perceived as louder. In addition, other psychological factors can come into consideration in the appearance or the perception of tinnitus (e.g. depression). Therefore, in a specialized monitoring of tinnitus, the audiologist can also work with a psychologist. The psychologist can help the patient to manage stress and other psychological factors, to assist in the management of tinnitus and reduce the impact on quality of life.

Note that some people who suffer from insomnia or sleep apnea may also complain of tinnitus. That’s why at the Polyclinique Centre-Ville, we created this tinnitus clinic that brings together multidisciplinary professionals: ENT, audiologists, psychologist, neurologist and pulmonologist, to support these patients.

Questionnaires for the Measurement of tinnitus and associated dysfunction

It is recommended to use validated tools for measuring tinnitus and dysfunctions associated with tinnitus.
This is measured by questionnaires. The objective of these questions is to determine the level of incapacitating tinnitus, and to measure the level of anxiety and depression. Depending on the final score, we give you the recommendations for an optimal treatment in order to help you.

To complete these questionnaires, click on the following link:
Tinnitus questionnaires  (Your ENT at Polyclinique Centre-Ville gives you the password)