TINNITUS WITH OTOSCLEROSIS

Many patients with otosclerosis experience tinnitus (head noise) to some extent. The amount of tinnitus is not necessarily related to the degree or type of hearing impairment.

Tinnitus develops due to involvement of the delicate nerve endings in the inner ear by the otosclerotic focus. Since the nerve carries sound, this irritation is manifested as ringing, roaring or buzzing. It is usually worse when the patient is fatigued, nervous or in a quiet environment.

Following the successful stapes surgery, tinnitus is often decreases, usually in proportion to the hearing gain. However this does not always happen, and sometimes the intensity of the tinnitus remains unchanged. This is because of involvement of the nerve.