Intratympanic Dexamethasone Injection in Chronic Tinnitus Associated with SNHL

Abstract
Background: Tinnitus is a common distressing complain characterized by perceived sensation of sound without an external stimulus. Intra-tympanic (IT) dexamethasone injection is used for the treatment of tinnitus associated with sensory neural hearing loss (SNHL) by introducing dexamethasone through the tympanic membrane, leading to decreasing sys-temic toxicity and a higher perilymph steroid level.
Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to express our experience in evaluation the effect of IT dexamethasone injection for controlling idiopathic chronic tinnitus of cochlear origin associated with SNHL.
Patients and Methods: A prospective interventional study of eighty patients with subjective idiopathic tinnitus associated with SNHL for at least 1 year were treated by IT injection of dexamethasone, once per week for 4 weeks. Improvement in tinnitus was assessed using pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tinnitus matching test, and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory by comparing the results before and after therapy. Follow-up after the end of the four injections, 1 and 3 months later.
Results: Pure-tone audiometry did not show significant improvement. However, there was a significant improvement in speech audiometry, tinnitus loudness, and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory after the end of the four injections and in the subsequent evaluations 1 and 3 months later.
Conclusion: IT dexamethasone injection could be a simple and effective method for controlling subjective idiopathic chronic tinnitus. The tinnitus may not disappear, but could be markedly decreased and easily tolerated.