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What Causes Conductive Hearing Loss Along With Tinnitus?

Posted on Fri, 13 Oct 2017

Question: Hi,

Hope you're well.

I recently had two of my three middle ear bones removed when I had choleastetoma removed. The third bone (the stapes) is in tact and in my ear. So I can confirm that I have conductive hearing loss but not any sensorineural hearing loss.

I have tinnitus in the ear that was operated on (it's a hissing sound that comes and goes).

My question is, if I have Ossiculoplasty surgery to reconstruct the other two hearing bones with a titanium prosthesis what are the percentage chances that it will reduce/get rid of my tinnitus as the hearing will be restored due to the titanium prosthesis.

Please give me an answer to this.

Look forward to your reply,

Thanks,

Sonny.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The chances of tinnitus getting alleviated is around 50%...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query. I am doing well, hope the same at your end.

1. In the absence of sensorineural hearing loss, the tinnitus in your case is due to the conductive hearing loss. Which means, there is reduced transmission of the sound from the outer ear to the middle ear, due to which the inner sounds gets augmented, which is known as tinnitus.

2. Usually, it takes 3-5 months post surgery for the tinnitus to reduce. The tinnitus is directly proportional to the hearing loss. The higher the hearing loss, the more the tinnitus and vice versa.

3. Post surgery, there will be edema of the middle ear tissues and the ear drum. Hence, the reduced hearing and the tinnitus.

4. The chances of tinnitus getting alleviated post surgery is around 50%. Even after insertion of the prosthesis, there will some amount of hearing deficit. Hence, the tinnitus may not subside significantly.

Hope this answers your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (3 days later)

Hi, XXXXXXX

Hope you're well.

Thank you for your detailed response

One question, in your above reply you mentioned that "The chances of tinnitus getting alleviated post surgery is around 50%", where did you get the 50% figure from?

Look forward to your reply,

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The hearing improvement is around 50% so the tinnitus...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back, hope you are doing well.

As I mentioned to you in my earlier response the tinnitus is directly proportional to the hearing loss. Here is a link which quotes the hearing improvement following various tympanoplasties. http://www.iyyyyyy.org/yyyyyy.asp?yyyy=0971-7749;year=2013;volume=19;issue=4;spage=186;epage=193;aulast=Gupta

Thus, the hearing improvement assured post tympanoplasty is approximately 50% and so the tinnitus.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you speedy recovery.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana