All information is correct at time of printing and is subject to change without notice. The Devon Formulary and Referral Website is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored by users. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the website.
Referral
Contact us about this page
Tinnitus
Scope
This guideline covers the diagnosis and management of tinnitus in adult patients.
Virtually all adults will experience tinnitus at some point in their life, this is usually self-limiting. Bilateral tinnitus is almost never associated with significant pathology.
History and Examination
- Tinnitus persisting for more than 6 weeks
- Conduct ear and neurological examination
- If pulse synchronous tinnitus - listen to neck for carotid bruit
The symptom of tinnitus in isolation has no specific Red Flags. Tinnitus can sometimes be associated with other symptoms that meet the Head and Neck 2ww Guidance.
Persistent unilateral tinnitus with or without vertigo, hearing loss or other symptoms may sometimes represent an acoustic neuroma. These patients are now also assessed by the audiology team and should be referred routinely.
Bilateral tinnitus with hearing loss
Please see Hearing problems in adults guideline
Bilateral tinnitus without hearing loss
Self-management – see link below
- Review 6 weeks by GP if no better consider referral to audiology
- Address co-morbidities e.g. depression, stress and anxiety
Further information at:
Referral Criteria
Routine referral to Audiology:
- Troublesome or intrusive bilateral tinnitus for more than 6 weeks with significant impact on quality of life despite adequate self-treatment
- Pulse synchronous tinnitus in absence of cardiovascular cause or anaemia
- Persistent unilateral tinnitus
Referral Instructions
Referrals to audiology
Eastern
Audiology referrals should be sent to Chime Audiology as paper referrals as this service is not provided on e-Referral Service:
Audiology Department, RD&E Hospital Wonford Tel: 01392 402 223/6
Northern/Western/SD&T
Audiology referrals should be sent via e-Referrals
- Speciality: Diagnostic Physiological Measurement
- Clinic type: Audiology – Hearing Asses/ Reassess
- Service: DRSS Northern/Western/South Devon and Torbay- Audiology- Devon ICB- 15N
Referrals to ENT
e-Referral Service Selection
- Specialty: Ear, Nose & Throat
- Clinic Type: Tinnitus
- Service: DRSS Eastern – Ear Nose and Throat- Devon ICB- 15N
Referral Form
Patient Information
- What is Tinnitus? - British Tinnitus Association website
- Save your Ears - BTA
- Noise and the Ear - BTA
- Self Help for Tinnitus - BTA website
Pathway Group
This guideline has been signed off on behalf of NHS Devon.
Publication date: April 2019
Date Updated: September 2021
Reviewed: April 2024
