AAO-HNS International Tinnitus Mini-Seminar 9/12/11: implants attempting tinnitus relief.

The AAO-HNSF, Martha Entenmann Tinnitus Research Center, Inc., (METRC), Abraham Shulman, M.D., and Barbara Goldstein, PhD, International Tinnitus MiniSeminar, the first named Mini-Seminar of the AAO-HNSF, presented in this second year of a five-year endowed series of Mini-Seminars for tinnitus a panel of national and international experts to present recent advances in the treatment of implantable devices attempting tinnitus relief. The series is supported by a generous gift from the Martha Entenmann Tinnitus Research Center, Inc. The 2nd ITL TINNITUS MINI-SEMINAR SEMINAR (ITM) was well attended, as it was the first in excess of 400 attendees. The feedback has been that the ITM achieved its stated goals primarily to assert the continued commitment and leadership of the specialty of otolaryngology for clinical and research efforts for tinnitus diagnosis and treatment for the ultimate benefit of the tinnitus patient; and to provide state-of-the-art information for tinnitus professionals. John House M.D. introduced the audience to the meeting by acknowledgment and expression of appreciation of the AAO-HNSF for the support of the Entenmann family for tinnitus research and tinnitus education. He shared his reflections of past original efforts of cochlear implantation of William House, M.D., Howard House, M.D., and the House Ear Institute and their projections to the future. The cochlear implant for attempting tinnitus relief is consistent with the advance of this technology. The program chairman and moderator of the International Tinnitus Mini-Seminar Michael E. Hoffer, M.D. welcomed the audience and introduced the panel. The panel included: Jay T. Rubinstein MD PhD; Michael D. Seidman MD; Paul Van de Heyning MD, PhD; and Abraham Shulman, M.D. The Mini-Seminar program “The Use of Implants in the Management of Tinnitus, Monday, 9-12-11, 10:3011:50AM, San Francisco, CA -, included reports by three acknowledged leaders in the field of implants for tinnitus, a panel discussion, an abstract of the meeting and a case report of cochlear implantation in a patient with unilateral tinnitus followed by questions and answers. All presentations reflected an ongoing basic science and clinical research effort directed to understanding the influence of electrical stimulation for the tinnitus complaint and its translation for tinnitus treatment. The results reported are a reflection of completed and ongoing research efforts awaiting final results for clinical application.