Tinnitus and Otosclerosis: An Exploratory Study about the Prevalence, Features and Impact in Daily Life

Abstract

Introduction Tinnitus is experienced by a significant part of the patients suffering from otosclerosis.

Objective To assess the prevalence of tinnitus in otosclerosis, its main features, and the impact on the daily life.

Methods Patients diagnosed with otosclerosis in 2019 in a tertiary hospital were enrolled in the study. Demographic data were retrieved and, besides a regular audiometric evaluation, the patients underwent acuphenometry to assess the psychoacoustic measurements (pitch and loudness), and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).

Results In total, 66 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with a female predominance (63.6%; n = 42), and a mean age of 48.7 years. The mean air-bone gap was of 26.3 dB. A total of 72.7% complained of tinnitus; it was mostly unilateral, identified in the low frequencies, namely 500 Hz, with median loudness of 7.5 dB. The median score on the THI score was of 37; most patients had a mild handicap (33.3%, n = 16), followed by those with a severe handicap (22.9%; n = 11). The female gender had a statistically significant association with the presence of tinnitus. The THI scores were higher in middle-aged patients (age groups: 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 years), which was statistically significant. No correlation was found between audiometry results and the prevalence of tinnitus or score on the THI. On the other hand, high-pitched tinnitus, compared to low pitched-tinnitus, was associated with larger air-bone gaps.

Conclusion The prevalence of tinnitus in our population was in line with the prevalences reported in the literature. It caused a catastrophic handicap in 22.9% of the patients. High-pitched tinnitus was associated with higher handicap. Nonetheless, the existence of tinnitus and its severity were not associated with the degree of hearing loss.

Keywords

tinnitus - otosclerosis - psychoacoustic measurements

Publication History

Received: 13 September 2020

Accepted: 07 December 2020

Article published online:
03 November 2021

• References

• 1 Rudic M, Keogh I, Wagner R. et al. The pathophysiology of otosclerosis: Review of current research. Hear Res 2015; 330 (Pt A): 51-56
• 2 Lima AdaS, Sanchez TG, Marcondes R, Bento RF. The effect of stapedotomy on tinnitus in patients with otospongiosis. Ear Nose Throat J 2005; 84 (07) 412-414
• 3 Gristwood RE, Venables WN. Otosclerosis and chronic tinnitus. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2003; 112 (05) 398-403
• 4 Skarżyński H, Gos E, Dziendziel B, Raj-Koziak D, Włodarczyk EA, Skarżyński PH. Clinically important change in tinnitus sensation after stapedotomy. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2018; 16 (01) 208
• 5 Skarżyński PH, Dziendziel B, Gos E. et al. Prevalence and severity of tinnitus in otosclerosis: Preliminary findings from validated questionnaires. J Int Adv Otol 2019; 15 (02) 277-282
• 6 Ayache D, Earally F, Elbaz P. Characteristics and postoperative course of tinnitus in otosclerosis. Otol Neurotol 2003; 24 (01) 48-51
• 7 Glasgold A, Altmann F. The effect of stapes surgery on tinnitus in otosclerosis. Laryngoscope 1966; 76 (09) 1524-1532
• 8 Ismi O, Erdogan O, Yesilova M, Ozcan C, Ovla D, Gorur K. A estapedotomia melhora o zumbido em pacientes com otosclerose?. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2017; 83 (05) 568-573
• 9 Bast F, Mazurek B, Schrom T. Effect of stapedotomy on pre-operative tinnitus and its psychosomatic burden. Auris Nasus Larynx 2013; 40 (06) 530-533
• 10 Szymański M, Gołabek W, Mills R. Effect of stapedectomy on subjective tinnitus. J Laryngol Otol 2003; 117 (04) 261-264
• 11 Sobrinho PG, Oliveira CA, Venosa AR. Long-term follow-up of tinnitus in patients with otosclerosis after stapes surgery. Int Tinnitus J 2004; 10 (02) 197-201 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15732523
• 12 Rajati M, Poursadegh M, Bakhshaee M, Abbasi A, Shahabi A. Outcome of stapes surgery for tinnitus recovery in otosclerosis. Int Tinnitus J 2012; 17 (01) 42-46 . Doi: 23906826
• 13 Seimetz BMA, Teixeira AR, Rosito LPS, Flores LS, Pappen CH, Dall'igna C. Pitch and loudness tinnitus in individuals with presbycusis. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016; 20 (04) 321-326
• 14 Henry JA, Meikle MB. Psychoacoustic measures of tinnitus. J Am Acad Audiol 2000; 11 (03) 138-155
• 15 Newman CW, Jacobson GP, Spitzer JB. Development of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1996; 122 (02) 143-148
• 16 de Oliveira V, Meneses RF. Balanço da utilização da versão portuguesa do Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). 2007
• 17 McCombe A, Baguley D, Coles R, McKenna L, McKinney C, Windle-Taylor P. British Association of Otolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons. Guidelines for the grading of tinnitus severity: the results of a working group commissioned by the British Association of Otolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons, 1999. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 2001; 26 (05) 388-393
• 18 Gersdorff M, Nouwen J, Gilain C, Decat M, Betsch C. Tinnitus and otosclerosis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2000; 257 (06) 314-316
• 19 Axelsson A, Ringdahl A. Tinnitus--a study of its prevalence and characteristics. Br J Audiol 1989; 23 (01) 53-62
• 20 Moon KR, Park S, Jung Y, Lee A, Lee JH. Effects of anxiety sensitivity and hearing loss on tinnitus symptom severity. Psychiatry Investig 2018; 15 (01) 34-40
• 21 Flores LS, Teixeira AR, Rosito LP, Seimetz BM, Dall'Igna C. Pitch and Loudness from Tinnitus in Individuals with Noise-induced Hearing Loss. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016; 20 (03) 248-253
• 22 Dziendziel B, Skarżyński H, Gos E, Skarżyński PH. Tinnitus Severity Change Following Stapedotomy in Patients With Otosclerosis. Otol Neurotol 2019; 40 (05) 578-583
• 23 Dziendziel B, Skarzynski H, Gos E, Skarzynski PH. Changes in Hearing Threshold and Tinnitus Severity after Stapes Surgery: Which Is More Important to the Patient's Quality of Life?. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 2019; 81 (04) 224-233