title: Tinnitus pitch and minimum masking levels in different etiologies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine whether the results of audiological tests and tinnitus characteristics, particularly tinnitus pitch and minimum masking level (MML), depend on tinnitus etiology, and what other etiology-specific tinnitus characteristics there are.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients answered questions concerning tinnitus laterality, duration, character, aggravation, alleviation, previous treatment, and circumstances of onset. The results of tympanometry, pure-tone audiometry, distortion-product otoacoustic emissions, tinnitus likeness spectrum, MML, and uncomfortable loudness level were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with several tinnitus etiological factors were excluded. The remaining participants were divided into groups according to medical history: acute acoustic trauma: 67 ears; chronic acoustic trauma: 82; prolonged use of oral estrogen and progesterone contraceptives: 46; Ménière's disease: 25; congenital hearing loss: 19; sensorineural sudden deafness: 40; dull head trauma: 19; viral labyrinthitis: 53; stroke: 6; presbycusis: 152. Data of 509 ears were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tinnitus pitch was highest in patients with acute acoustic trauma and lowest in patients receiving estrogen and progesterone. MML was lowest after acute acoustic trauma and in congenital hearing loss, and highest after a stroke and in the case of presbytinnitus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tinnitus pitch and MML are etiology dependent.
authors.affiliation: * ENT Department, St. John Grande's Hospital , Kraków , Poland.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zagólski
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stręk
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001307:Auditory Perception; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008144:Loudness Perception; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D012307:Risk Factors; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Tinnitus; electrophysiology; hearing; otoacoustic emissions