Evaluation of Tinnitus and Hearing Loss in the Adult

Tinnitus and hearing loss in the adult can have profound effects on quality of life. The imaging workup for tinnitus and hearing loss in adults follows otoscopic exam and audiometry testing. CT and MR imaging have different and often complimentary roles in the evaluation of tinnitus and hearing loss, depending on the clinical scenario and the suspected underlying etiology. Imaging can often identify the cause and evaluate the extent of disease for surgical planning. This article discusses anatomy, imaging techniques, and pathologies that cause tinnitus and hearing loss with a mass and without a mass.