Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 Poorly Predicts Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Patients With Tinnitus

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Diagnostic Tools

Background:

• Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) presents with otologic and rhinologic symptoms.
• The Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ7) is validated for ETD assessment.
• ETDQ7 symptoms overlap with inner ear pathologies like tinnitus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between tinnitus severity and ETDQ7 scores.
• To assess the reliability of ETDQ7 in patients with tinnitus and hearing loss.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care center.
• Included 65 patients aged 18+ with tinnitus or hearing loss.
• Administered ETDQ-7 and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaires.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between THI scores and both total ETDQ-7 (rs=0.50) and ETDQ7-t scores (rs=0.64).
• 83% of patients had ETDQ-7 scores ≥14.5.
• Patients with higher ETDQ-7 scores reported greater tinnitus handicap.

Conclusions:

• Elevated ETDQ7 scores in patients with tinnitus may suggest ETD but can be misleading.
• Physicians should interpret ETDQ7 results cautiously in patients complaining of tinnitus.
• The ETDQ7 may not be a reliable sole indicator of ETD in the presence of tinnitus.