Tinnitus History Taking

1. A detailed case history is required in all tinnitus patients in order to obtain the necessary information for differential diagnosis and therapeutic management. 2. Qualitative data are best being obtained through case history questionnaires or a structured interview. 3. A case history should contain information about the history and descriptive characteristics of the tinnitus, about potential risk factors for tinnitus development, about specific behavioral, social, interpersonal, and emotional consequences of tinnitus, about factors that may either exacerbate or reduce tinnitus severity. 4. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of tinnitus severity is relevant for both clinical management and research applications.