Studies of the physiological and psychological characteristics of tinnitus and its treatment have yielded a variety of conclusions The variation in results may reflect heterogeneous patient populations. Although the sources of variation are many, one may be derived from combining patients of several severities of tinnitus into a single group. A nosology is proposed for tinnitus severity to be classified by the patient's behavioral responses. Classifying patients allows direction to specific treatment modalities and will facilitate research. The concept of phantom auditory pain and a rational basis for the use of antidepressant therapy are discussed.
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