Behavioral Therapy for Muscular Objective Tinnitus in Forceful Eyelid Closure Syndrome (FECS): A Case Report

This report presents the case of a patient with forceful eyelid closure syndrome (FECS) who did not have an otologic history of facial paresis. The patient was an 11-year-old girl. She complained of a click noise in the left ear simultaneous with eyelid closure and was referred to our department. A microphone in the external auditory canal captured a click noise simultaneously with eye blinking. Impedance audiometry of the left ear showed a slight compliance reduction simultaneously with eye blinking, whereas a pure-tone audiogram, tympanogram, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and movement of the palate and pharynx were normal. Her previous otologic history was unremarkable and did not include facial paresis. She was diagnosed with FECS due to contraction of the tensor tympanic muscle. Treatment with an anticonvulsant for 2 months showed no effects on her tinnitus and she was bothered by her drowsiness and dizziness. Behavioral therapy (BT) was started, and the tinnitus was remarkably reduced in 7 months. BT for patients with muscular tinnitus, including FECS, may be a preferred choice rather than surgical procedure and medication including an anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant.