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- What is tinnitus?
- Symptoms of tinnitus
- Causes of tinnitus
- Prevention of tinnitus
- Risk factors for tinnitus
- Complications of tinnitus
- When to see a doctor about tinnitus
- Diagnosis of tinnitus
- Conventional treatment of tinnitus
- Alternative/complementary treatment of tinnitus
- Living with tinnitus
- Caring for someone with tinnitus
Tinnitus is initially diagnosed through the following tests:
- Medical history of symptoms - the doctor will ask a series of questions about your symptoms (especially the duration and severity), your family medical history (if anyone else has similar symptoms) and some questions about whether you smoke or have any other risk factors associated with this condition
- Physical examination - the ear will be examined by the doctor to determine if there is any obvious swelling or other symptoms of infection
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If the initial tests are not conclusive, or if symptoms are quite severe, then further tests will be requested:
- Hearing test - a hearing test may be performed to determine if there is any hearing loss and whether it is temporary or permanent
- Other diagnostic imaging tests - other imaging tests such as MRI and CAT scans can be performed to get an image of the middle ear. These tests provide a more detailed view of the inner ear and will show if there is any damage or inflammation to the ear
- Referrals - if symptoms do not resolve, a referral is given to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who can perform further testing
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< 7: when to see a doctor 9: conventional treatment > Last reviewed: 18 February 2009 || Last updated: 12 December 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
