Validation of the Mini-TQ in a Dutch-speaking population: a rapid assessment for tinnitus-related distress.

Objective: Up to 30% of the adult population experiences tinnitus at some point in life. The aim of the present study was to validate the Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ) in a Dutch-speaking population for measuring tinnitus-related distress and compare it with the extended version normally used in clinical practice and research.

Methodology: We assessed 181 patients at the Tinnitus Research Initiative clinic of Antwerp University Hospital.

Administration of the combination clonazepam-Deanxit as treatment for tinnitus.

Hypothesis: Present study investigates the combination of Deanxit and clonazepam (Rivotril) intake for relief of tinnitus complaints, respecting a double-blind placebo-controlled approach for Deanxit in a crossover setup.

Background: Although several pharmacologic treatments--including antidepressants, prostaglandins, and aminobutyric acid (GABA)-active drugs--were already presented as promising in tinnitus treatment, no drug has yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicine Agency for the treatment of tinnitus.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to patient group A or patient group B in a double-blind way.

Outcome of sleep endoscopy in obstructive sleep apnoea: the Antwerp experience.

Objectives: Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) result from upper airway (UA) collapse during sleep. Sleep endoscopy is a dynamic evaluation of the UA that can be used to determine the site(s) of collapse during respiratory events. This study evaluates the feasibility and outcome of sleep endoscopy in patients with OSA, compares the findings with the literature, and reviews the therapeutic advice given to patients.

Correlation between hyperacusis measurements in daily ENT practice.

The aim of this study was to investigate hyperacusis measurement tools and to assess the correlation between diagnostic methods for hyperacusis in daily ENT practice. We studied two hyperacusis questionnaires: the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ) and the Multiple-Activity Scale for Hyperacusis (MASH), audiometric measurements (uncomfortable loudness level (ULL) and dynamic range (DR)), and the questions 'Do you have a lower tolerance for noise..

Phase-shift treatment for tinnitus of cochlear origin.

Phase-shift treatment is a new tinnitus therapy that aims at sound cancelling. This technique is based on a theory advocating that the induction of a sound wave with a 180 degrees phase-shift compared to the sound experienced by the patient could result in sound cancelling, likely by negation of the cortical perception of tinnitus or residual inhibition, which can be partial or complete. The aim of our study is to compare the effect of phase-shifting generated by the tinnitus phase-out device between pure tone tinnitus patients (PTP) and narrow band noise tinnitus patients (NBNP).

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in tinnitus patients.

The objective of this paper is to present Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a new and highly promising technique in tinnitus modulation. We conducted a Pubmed and Web of Science search using the words 'Tinnitus', 'TMS' and 'Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation'. We report on the most relevant studies relating to the effects and stimulation parameters of TMS in tinnitus patients.

Influence of tonic and burst transcranial magnetic stimulation characteristics on acute inhibition of subjective tinnitus.

Objective: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is already broadly used in different areas of neuroscience research. In the last years, special attention was drawn to TMS in tinnitus. The aim of our study is to investigate the stimulation characteristics of TMS in tinnitus patients, in particular the effect of tonic and burst stimulation of the superior temporal lobe.

Validation of the Dutch and the French version of the Tinnitus Questionnaire.

Objectives: To validate the Dutch and the French version of the Tinnitus Questionnaire and characterise the subscales. The original Tinnitus Questionnaire has already proven to be a usable measurement tool to discriminate complaining from non-complaining tinnitus patients and it provides differentiation into 5 dimensions.

Methods: The English version of the TQ was used.

Tinnitus: a multidisciplinary clinical approach.

This article provides a clinical step-by-step approach for assessing a patient with tinnitus as primary complaint. The medical diagnosis of the disease provoking the tinnitus has to be made first in a comprehensive evaluation, including imaging. The psycho-acoustic characteristics and the influence on health-related quality of life is a compulsory complementary assessment to establish a complete picture of the patient.