Tinnitus impacts the lives of over 42 million Americans. The noises generated by tinnitus can be constant and include buzzing, ringing, whooshing, chirping, white noise, pink noise, and tonal sounds. Nearly 10 million individuals report a level of tinnitus severity that prohibits them from living "normal" lives. While there is currently no cure for tinnitus, there are effective ways to manage its symptoms. How do you know it's time to seek professional help for the relief of tinnitus? Drs. Newman, Sandridge, and Bolek, of the Head and Neck Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, created the screening version of The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory to help people know when it's time to seek professional help to alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus:
The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory-Screening Version (THI-S)
- Because of your tinnitus, is it difficult for you to concentrate?
- Do you complain a great deal regarding your tinnitus?
- Do you feel as though you cannot escape your tinnitus?
- Does your tinnitus make you feel confused?
- Because of your tinnitus, do you feel frustrated?
- Do you feel that you can no longer cope with your tinnitus?
- Does your tinnitus make it difficult for you to enjoy life?
- Does your tinnitus make you upset?
- Because of your tinnitus, do you have trouble falling asleep at night?
- Because of your tinnitus, do you feel depressed?
For each question that you answered “yes,” calculate 4 points, “sometimes,” calculate 2
points, and “no,” calculate 0 points. A total score of more than 6 points indicates a need
for a more in-depth evaluation with an audiologist.
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