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.

A Systematic Review on the Genetic Contribution to Tinnitus

“…Fourteen studies were selected to estimate the prevalence of tinnitus, including 88,920 subjects. Three were performed in North America, two of them in the USA [ 22 , 23 ] and one in Canada [ 24 ], and eight were performed in Europe, including studies from Poland [ 25 , 26 ], UK [ 27 ], Netherlands [ 28 ], Sweden [ 4 ], Germany [ 29 , 30 ], and Denmark [ 31 ], and three in Asia (South Korea) [ 32 – 34 ]. The age ranged from 11 to 99 years, with 46.3 ± 15.2 years old.…”

Effect of stapes demineralisation on the development of cochlear otosclerosis

“…Changes in the elemental composition and levels of toxic metabolites released during bone remodelling, penetrating the inner ear, seem to negatively affect the inner ear and be responsible for the clinical manifestations of cochlear otosclerosis. Tinnitus intensification has been observed with the progression of otosclerosis and bone remodelling, which, overlapping with hearing loss, deepens the subjective sense of hearing impairment 12 .…”

Retrospective Study of 157 Patients with Otosclerosis to Evaluate Association Between Carhart Notch on the Preoperative Bone-Conduction Audiogram and Postoperative Hearing and Balance Evaluated by the Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale

“…The tinnitus matching test, a subjective test measuring the level of tinnitus, was used to study the frequency and intensity of tinnitus. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scale was used to assess the severity of tinnitus and its impact on the daily functioning of the patient [ 18 ]. Determination of the loudness and frequency type of tinnitus was conducted using a clinical audiometer, performing the test first for octave and then at inter-octaval frequencies, by narrowing the tinnitus to half an octave [ 19 , 20 ].…”