Regarding ENTs, llilly asked:
What information did you think you needed that you didn't get?


It wouldn't hurt them to dispense a little information about how to "learn to live with it". A recommended book, some information on joining the ATA, and a list of useful websites wouldn't hurt. ENTs are highly paid and this is, after all, their supposed area of expertise. Throwing up their hands and saying there is no cure, now just pay me and don't bother me any more is not really a very high standard of care. They should be expected to know the answers to a few questions about, say, the effect of hearing aids and maskers on tinnitus, the efficacy of some widely used drugs such as Xanax, the concept of residual inhibition, etc. It is their job.

There are many many chronic medical disorders for which there is no cure, but which can be helped in various ways, including schizophrenia, autoimmune disorders, various types of back pain, etc etc. For a person who is not comfortable listening sympathetically to the suffering of people with incurable disorders, there are occupations other than ENT that would be better suited.