The role of the audiologist in tinnitus practice

Abstract

Keypoints: 1. Audiologists play a significant role in most models of tinnitus health care provision, including both the assessment and management of tinnitus as reported by Henry et al. (Am J Audiol 14:49-70, 2005; Am J Audiol 14:21-48, 2005). 2. Audiologists have expertise assessing auditory function; training in auditory physiology and psychology prepares them to provide tinnitus counseling; and they are able to fit hearing aids and other instruments for tinnitus therapies. 3. In some situations, the Audiologist will be part of a multidisciplinary team (e.g., in a large metropolitan hospital) that may potentially include Otologists, Neurologists, Hearing Therapists, and Psychologists. 4. In other circumstances, the Audiologist may work in comparative isolation and be responsible for the majority of tinnitus care. 5. In this chapter, the authors consider the Audiologists' perspectives of tinnitus. 6. We describe Audiologists' skills and attributes in their role in tinnitus management; present models for tinnitus practice; and introduce a Matrix framework from within which clinicians can choose strategies for patients with varying needs. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.