Journal article
Considerations When Evaluating a Tinnitus Patient for Compensation
The Australian and New Zealand journal of audiology, Vol.24(2), pp.85-91
11/01/2002
DOI: 10.1375/audi.24.2.85.31106
Abstract
Several issues need to be considered when evaluating a tinnitus patient for compensation. First, it is necessary to determine that they actually have tinnitus. Questions that can be addressed include: "Is there a plausible cause?", "Was the tinnitus reported before the patient considered a lawsuit?", "Are the complaints consistent with other patients' complaints of tinnitus?", "Have others noted that the patient has difficulties attributed to tinnitus?", "Has the patient faked a hearing loss or other ailment?", "Are the tinnitus measurements reliable?", and "Has the patient sought treatment?" Second, it is necessary to determine the severity. A new rating approach is proposed that considers the broad categories of concentration, emotional wellbeing, hearing and sleep. A preliminary version of a Tinnitus Impairment Questionnaire that addresses these four areas is presented. Third, the most probable cause of the tinnitus should be determined. One strategy is to consider all possible causes, and then decide on the most probable. If the case involves a noise induced hearing loss, it is necessary to distinguish between: noise exposure in the workplace over years; a single intense exposure; hunting or target shooting; recreational noise; noise exposure in military service; and noise exposure at previous work.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Considerations When Evaluating a Tinnitus Patient for Compensation
- Creators
- Richard S. Tyler
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Australian and New Zealand journal of audiology, Vol.24(2), pp.85-91
- DOI
- 10.1375/audi.24.2.85.31106
- ISSN
- 1443-4873
- eISSN
- 1839-5244
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2002
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984258733902771
Metrics
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