A Study to Test the Effectiveness of Intratympanic Dexamethasone Injections as a Treatment for Severe Disabling...

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source and is frequently linked with hearing impairment. Subjective tin-nitus affects approximately 10% of the population, and in many cases, no cause is identified, classified as idiopathic. Intratympanic corticosteroids have gained attention for their targeted therapeutic effects. This study explores intratympanic dexamethasone in managing idiopathic cochlear tinnitus. Objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of intratympanic dexamethasone injections in patients with severe disabling tin-nitus associated with or without sensorineural hearing loss.

A descriptive observational study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Navodaya Medical College and Hospital from October 2019 to September 2021. Sixty-five patients aged 18-60 years with tinnitus of at least 1-month duration and associated sensorineural hearing loss were included. Tinnitus severity was assessed using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Patients received intratympanic dexamethasone (4 mg/mL, 0.4-0.6 mL) weekly for 4 weeks, with outcomes evaluated at completion.

The majority of patients were male (60%) and below 30 years of age. Significant improvement in THI scores was observed post-treatment, with mild cases increasing from 21.5% to 67.7%, moderate cases decreasing from 63.1% to 32.3%, and severe cases reducing from 15.4% to 0% (P < .05). Minimal complications were noted.

Intratympanic dexamethasone was associated with reduced tinnitus severity in patients with idiopathic tinnitus, with or without sensorineural hearing loss. As this was a single-arm study without a control group, these findings warrant cautious interpretation pending validation in randomized controlled trials.