I agree with you completely about the necessity for a complete medical investigation, Rob. What I am talking about is the majority of cases, where no treatable medical cause can be found for the tinnitus. The experience of all too many patients is that they are then shown the door and left to fend for themselves.

I know that surgeons and other medical specialists often don't like to spend their time counselling patients. I have often thought that a little brochure could at least be prepared for these patients, directing them to helpful resources such as the ATA and various books etc., and freeing up the good doctor from the task of talking to the patient.

This situation is in contrast to other more lucrative medical specialties in the US. In a dermatologist's office you will most often find a small library of brochures in the waiting room for all kinds of medical and cosmetic issues. Come to think of it, many of the brochures are paid for by drug companies. Perhaps one of the problems with disseminating tinnitus information in doctor's offices is that the drug companies have no commercial stake in it. But that doesn't mean that a conscientious doctor couldn't find or prepare a brochure for his own patients.