Is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy effective in managing Persistent Tinnitus after Middle Ear Surgery?

Introduction: Tinnitus, commonly referred to as "ringing in the ears," is phantom auditory perception which can be debilitating condition. Middle ear surgery can give rise to complications like development of Tinnitus in certain patients. This article evaluates patients with persistent Tinnitus managed by Tinnitus Retraining therapy. Materials and Methods: Prospective study was carried on patients operated for chronic middle ear disease presented with persistent Tinnitus post operatively at completion of 3 months of follow up during January 2016 to December 2017. Level of tinnitus was assessed using Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scale. These Patients were subjected to Tinnitus Retraining Therapy for 3 months. Results: Total of 29 patients presented with Persistent Tinnitus Post operatively of which 17 were male and 12 female in age group 21–50 years. Tinnitus was mild (13.79%), moderate (51.72%), severe (31.03%) and Catastrophic (3.44%) of patients. Frequency, Intensity match and type of noise of each patient for tinnitus retraining therapy was documented where unilateral Tinnitus was seen in 25 and bilateral in 4 patients. Overall improvement in tinnitus observed in 16 (55.17%) of patients. Patients with moderate tinnitus showed improvement in Catastrophic and Severe tinnitus. As perception of Tinnitus increased more improvement was observed following therapy and vice versa. Results of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy do not vary based on middle ear surgery performed, laterality of ear and type of noise used to suppress tinnitus. Discussion: Tinnitus retraining Therapy aims in reducing tinnitus perception by inducing habituation of tinnitus-induced reactions allowing patients to achieve control over tinnitus, live normal life.