Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Tinnitus in one of the most common complaints of patients with acoustic neurinoma, which could lead to early diagnosis. Because postoperative tinnitus can have a profound effect on patients’ quality of life, candidates for surgery should be thoroughly informed about the possible effect of the operation on their tinnitus status. Questionnaires were the only source of information for tinnitus evaluation in previous studies, most of which were retrospective.

MATERIALS and METHODS: Twelve patients with unilateral tinnitus and hearing loss and definite diagnosis of acoustic neurinoma were operated via translabyrithine tumour resection. One week before and 3 months after complete translabyrinthine removal of tumour, tinnitus evaluation test was performed and pitch match of tinnitus and loudness match of tinnitus were measured. Then patients were asked to complete two Persian validated questionnaires, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory-Persian and Tinnitus Questionnaire-Persian.

RESULTS: Psychoacoustic and psychometric aspects were improved in three patients, did not change in one patient, and worsened in one patient. In three patients, tinnitus disappeared and in four patients without preoperative tinnitus, it did not occur.

CONCLUSION: Partial improvement in postoperative tinnitus was seen but prediction about tinnitus after surgery is not possible yet. Nonetheless, postoperative tinnitus is not bothersome and does not affect patients’ lives.