Subtyping Somatic Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional UK Cohort Study of Demographic, Clinical and Audiological Characteristics

Ward, Jamie; Vella, Claire; Hoare, Derek J.; Hall, Deborah A.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0126254

Cited by 40 publications

(47 citation statements)

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“…Recent evidence in a British cohort study shows that somatic tinnitus is more common among younger people and it is unrelated to hearing loss or tinnitus severity (Ward et al, 2015). Some of these audiological and demographic traits, may be indeed useful in informing therapy (Won et al, 2013) through the identification of “clinical criteria for useful subtyping of tinnitus patients” (Vielsmeier et al, 2012).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Somatosensory Tinnitus: A Scoping Review

Haider¹,

Hoare

Costa

et al. 2017

Front. Neurosci.

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Somatosensory tinnitus is a generally agreed subtype of tinnitus that is associated with activation of the somatosensory, somatomotor, and visual-motor systems. A key characteristic of somatosensory tinnitus is that is modulated by physical contact or movement. Although it seems common, its pathophysiology, assessment and treatment are not well defined. We present a scoping review on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of somatosensory tinnitus, and identify priority directions for further research.Methods: Literature searches were conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. Additional broad hand searches were conducted with the additional terms etiology, diagnose, treatment.Results: Most evidence on the pathophysiology of somatosensory tinnitus suggests that somatic modulations are the result of altered or cross-modal synaptic activity within the dorsal cochlear nucleus or between the auditory nervous system and other sensory subsystems of central nervous system (e.g., visual or tactile). Presentations of somatosensory tinnitus are varied and evidence for the various approaches to treatment promising but limited.Discussion and Conclusions: Despite the apparent prevalence of somatosensory tinnitus its underlying neural processes are still not well understood. Necessary involvement of multidisciplinary teams in its diagnosis and treatment has led to a large heterogeneity of approaches whereby tinnitus improvement is often only a secondary effect. Hence there are no evidence-based clinical guidelines, and patient care is empirical rather than research-evidence-based. Somatic testing should receive further attention considering the breath of evidence on the ability of patients to modulate their tinnitus through manouvers. Specific questions for further research and review are indicated.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Somatosensory Tinnitus: A Scoping Review

Haider¹,

Hoare

Costa

et al. 2017

Front. Neurosci.

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“…Among individuals with somatic tinnitus, a high proportion had pulsatile tinnitus, were younger than 40 years, reported variation in the loudness of their tinnitus, and reported TMJ disorders, thus profiling somatic tinnitus as a distinct subtype of general tinnitus. 63 …”

Section: Clinical Features Of Somatosensory Modulation Of Tinnitusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Somatosensory tinnitus: Current evidence and future perspectives

et al. 2017

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In some individuals, tinnitus can be modulated by specific maneuvers of the temporomandibular joint, head and neck, eyes, and limbs. Neuroplasticity seems to play a central role in this capacity for modulation, suggesting that abnormal interactions between the sensory modalities, sensorimotor systems, and neurocognitive and neuroemotional networks may contribute to the development of somatosensory tinnitus. Current evidence supports a link between somatic disorders and higher modulation of tinnitus, especially in patients with a normal hearing threshold. Patients with tinnitus who have somatic disorders seems to have a higher chance of modulating their tinnitus with somatic maneuvers; consistent improvements in tinnitus symptoms have been observed in patients with temporomandibular joint disease following targeted therapy for temporomandibular disorders. Somatosensory tinnitus is often overlooked by otolaryngologists and not fully investigated during the diagnostic process. Somatic disorders, when identified and treated, can be a valid therapeutic target for tinnitus; however, somatic screening of subjects for somatosensory tinnitus is imperative for correct selection of patients who would benefit from a multidisciplinary somatic approach.

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“…Patients with somatic tinnitus have shown different characteristics, being younger, with higher prevalence of female gender and unrelated to hearing loss (somatic tinnitus patients often have normal hearing) or tinnitus severity [58][59][60][61][62] . The most common musculoskeletal conditions that underlie somatic tinnitus are temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cervical spine (NECK) disorders 43,44,52 .…”

Section: Considerations On Somatic Modulation Of Tinnitusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Somatic Tinnitus

Ralli¹,

Greco²,

Cialente³

et al. 2017

The International Tinnitus Journal

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Modulation of tinnitus characteristics such as pitch and loudness has been extensively described following movements of the head, neck and limbs, vertical or horizontal eye gaze, pressure on myofascial trigger points, cutaneous stimulation of the hands, electrical stimulation of the median nerve, and transcranial direct current stimulation. Modulation of tinnitus follows complex interactions between auditory and somatosensory afferents and can be favored by underlying somatic disorders. When tinnitus appears to be preceded or strictly linked to a somatic disorder, and therefore related to problems of the musculoskeletal system rather than of the ear, it is defined somatic tinnitus. A correct diagnosis and treatment of somatic disorders underlying tinnitus play a central role for a correct management of somatic tinnitus. However, the identification of somatic tinnitus may be complex in some cases. In this paper, after a general review of the current evidences for somatic tinnitus available in the literature, we present and discuss some cases of patients in which somatic modulation of tinnitus played a role-although different from case to case-in their tinnitus, describing the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches followed in each individual case and the results obtained, also highlighting unexpected findings and pitfalls that may be encountered when approaching somatic tinnitus patients.

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Subtyping Somatic Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional UK Cohort Study of Demographic, Clinical and Audiological Characteristics

Cited by 40 publications

References 40 publications

Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Somatosensory Tinnitus: A Scoping Review

Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Somatosensory Tinnitus: A Scoping Review

Somatosensory tinnitus: Current evidence and future perspectives

Somatic Tinnitus

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