GR302 - Grand Rounds: Tinnitus

Abstract:
This session highlights the need for more practitioners providing diverse audiological care for patients suffering from tinnitus and sound tolerance conditions, focusing on practical management strategies beyond amplification and educational counseling. Four case studies will be presented, including three adult tinnitus cases and one pediatric case with disordered sound tolerance. Each case will be followed by a Q&A segment, encouraging discussion on assessment and intervention strategies. Attendees will gain valuable insights to enhance care for tinnitus and sound tolerance disorders across various patient populations.

Summary:
Patients troubled by tinnitus often expose the limitations within audiologic practice and the challenges faced by audiologists to provide effective tinnitus management. A notable number of professionals do not routinely provide tinnitus-related services, with some choosing not to work with these patients altogether. Despite various explanations offered over the years, the clinical management of bothersome tinnitus continues to lag behind other specialty areas in the field.

This session will present four diverse case studies, illustrating the wide range of patient presentations and experiences with tinnitus and sound tolerance disorders. These cases aim to highlight current tinnitus management strategies for current and aspiring providers. Three cases focus on adults, while one addresses a pediatric patient.

The adult cases will explore:
1. Management of a complex patient with hearing loss, tinnitus, and sound tolerance disorders.
2. The use of multi-faceted management strategies such as meditation, PTM, mindfulness and bimodal stimulation in the treatment of a tinnitus patient.
3. Tinnitus management that is compounded by a history of traumatic brain injury.

The pediatric case will explore:
1. A young patient with disordered sound tolerance caused by an acoustic shock.
2. Counseling and desensitization techniques appropriate for younger patients and their families.

Each case will be followed by a question-and-answer segment, offering attendees the chance to engage in discussions, share insights, and seek clarification regarding assessments and interventions.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaway for this session is the importance of applying individualized, evidence-based approaches to manage tinnitus and sound tolerance disorders, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies, effective counseling techniques, and patient centered care to address the diverse needs of patients.