Effect of otosclerosis surgery on tinnitus

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the possible correlation between tinnitus and hearing level and the effect of surgery on tinnitus in otosclerosis patients with tinnitus. Methods: In this study, 55 patients (59 ears) operated for otosclerosis with tinnitus between December 1998 and April 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative mean air and bone conduction thresholds, mean air bone gaps and speech discrimination scores in postoperative tinnitus ceased and tinnitus no change groups were evaluated. Results: Tinnitus was ceased in 30 ears and no change was detected in 29 ears following surgery on the postoperative third month control. In tinnitus ceased group, preoperative mean bone conduction level was 21 +/- 2 dB, mean air conduction level was 56 +/- 2 dB, mean air-bone gap was 34 +/- 1 dB and speech discrimination score was 98 +/- 1%. In tinnitus no change group, these results were 33 +/- 3 dB, 69 +/- 3 dB, 36 +/- 2 dB and 87 +/- 3% respectively. Similarly, in tinnitus ceased group postoperative mean bone conduction threshold was 9 +/- 1 dB, mean air conduction threshold was 23 +/- 1 dB, mean air-bone gap was 14 +/- 1 dB and speech discrimination score was 100%. In tinnitus no change group, these results were 24 +/- 3 dB, 41 +/- 4 dB, 17 +/- 2 and 93 +/- 2% respectively. Besides, the postoperative air conduction gain in tinnitus ceased group was 33 +/- 2 dB and it was 28 +/- 3 dB in tinnitus no change group. Conclusion: In patients with hearing loss and tinnitus due to otosclerosis, tinnitus was ceased among half of the patients after stapedotomy procedure. It was assured that there is a relationship between tinnitus course and hearing levels of the patients.