Impact of tympanoplasty on tinnitus using tinnitogram

Introduction: Chronic Suppurative otitis Media (CSOM) and tympanic membrane perforation are leading causes of mild to moderate conductive acquired hearing loss worldwide that may lead to tinnitus. Aim: This study is designed to evaluate the postoperative various potential effects of tympanoplasty on tinnitus in patients with central tympanic membrane perforation using different methods of testing including tinnitogram. Methods: This study was carried out in: Oto-rhinolaryngology department – El Azhar University Hospitals and Otorhinolaryngology department Hearing and Speech institute in Giza (from March 2016 to March 2018). One hundred ears with central tympanic membrane perforation of one hundred patients were included in this study and it was designed as a prospective randomized study. Typmpanoplasty was done for all the ears with preoperative and postoperative audiological assessment and tinnitogram and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Results: Overall improvement by comparing pre-operative and post-operative results revealed that Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score improvement mean was (67.25), loudness threshold decrease mean was (35.71) and average Air Bone Gap improvement mean was (44.13). Conclusion: Patients with tinnitus and hearing loss are excellent candidates to undergo tympanoplasty in order to control tinnitus by hearing improvement. Our study results proved that Repair of tympanic membrane perforation will improve hearing outcome and decrease burden of tinnitus complaint on patient's life.