The masterclass by Sarah Michiels, a physiotherapist and manual therapist at Hasselt University, focuses on somatosensory (or somatic) tinnitus— a type of tinnitus influenced by the somatosensory system, particularly from the cervical spine or jaw area. Michiels discusses the challenges in diagnosing somatic tinnitus due to its multifactorial origins and its coexistence with other conditions like hearing loss. Through a Delphi study, a consensus was reached on 16 criteria for identifying somatic tinnitus, emphasizing the modulation of tinnitus during voluntary movements or physical tests. Her research further narrowed down the most indicative criteria for somatic tinnitus, such as the simultaneous increase and decrease of tinnitus and neck or jaw pain.

Michiels also explores treatment options for somatic tinnitus, focusing on musculoskeletal therapies targeting head, neck, or shoulder dysfunctions. She highlights the importance of tailoring treatment to the patient’s specific dysfunctions and shares studies indicating that a nine-week treatment program may be more effective than six weeks. Additionally, she mentions experimental therapies, including cervical collars, tinnitus-retraining therapy, injections, and bimodal stimulation, which show promise but require further research. Ultimately, Michiels emphasizes the necessity for expertise in identifying and treating somatic tinnitus effectively, using a combination of established and innovative methods.

Sarah is a physiotherapist, manual therapist and assistant professor in musculoskeletal rehab at Hasselt University in Belgium. Her special interest is tinnitus and she has published many papers on the topic in the last 10 years.