[Tinnitus measurement with conventional audiometer versus high-frequency audiometer].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Determinations of the psychoacoustic characteristics of tinnitus (frequency and intensity) are valid for diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and research purposes. The aim of this work is to compare the frequency of the tinnitus measured with a standard audiometer and a high frequency audiometer. METHODS We used a conventional audiometer (frequency range: 125-12,000 Hz) and a high-frequency audiometer (frequency range: 125-18,000 Hz) to measure the frequency and intensity of tinnitus in 47 patients with tinnitus as a continuous ringing. RESULTS We found statistically-significant differences between the determination of the frequency of tinnitus made with conventional and high-frequency audiometers, as well as a correlation between high-frequency tinnitus and distress expressed by patients. CONCLUSIONS 1) The frequency of tinnitus determined by high-frequency audiometer is greater than the frequency determined by conventional audiometer; 2) the higher the frequency of tinnitus, the more discomfort the patient manifests; and 3) there is no relationship between the intensity and discomfort caused by tinnitus.