A Study on Efficacy of the Intratympanic Injection of Steroid in the treatment of Subjective Idiopathic Tinnitus

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is a common and distressing symptom which is characterized by the perceived sensation of sound without any corresponding external stimulus. Seen in any age and sex, Subjective idiopathic tinnitus – defined as the experience of noises in the ears or head without both aberrant aetiology and external stimuli. Intratympanic injection of steroid (Dexamethasone) is used for the treatment of subjective idiopathic tinnitus by introducing the drug through the tympanic membrane, resulting in reduced systemic toxicity and a higher perilymph steroid level. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Intratympanic steroid (Dexamethasone) in the treatment of subjective idiopathic tinnitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients with subjective idiopathic tinnitus were subjected to Intratympanic injection of Dexamethasone, once per week for 3 weeks. Improvement in the symptom of tinnitus was assessed by means of subjective evaluation with the help of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) before and after 1 week, 1 month and 3 months of last injection. RESULTS: The results of this study shows that, there was a significant improvement of tinnitus which is assessed by means of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory after the 3 doses of injections and found it in the subsequent evaluations - 1 month and 3 months after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Hence, the intratympanic injection of dexamethasone was found to be effective in the treatment of subjective idiopathic tinnitus. Intratympanic treatment was demonstrated to improve tinnitus scores in the study population