The effect on tinnitus of stapes surgery for otosclerosis

Among 42 Japanese patients with otosclerosis who underwent stapes surgery, 22 patients including 10 received total stapedectomy, 6 partial stapedectomy and 6 stapedectomy, were investigated on preoperative and postoperative tinnitus by sending questionnaire. The tinnitus was evaluated by "tinnitus score" advocated by the Japan Audiological Society, and the changes of the scores were analyzed according to pre- and postoperative hearing change, type of stapes surgery and pitches of preoperative tinnitus. In these 22 patients, tinnitus score was improved in 68%, unchanged in 27% or worsened in 5%. Tinnitus was completely disappeared in 6 patients or 27.3%. Tinnitus score became more markedly improved in the patients received partial stapedectomy or stapedotomy than those who received total stapedectomy. Tinnitus score was more likely improved in the patients who had a low pitched tinnitus and presumably had no cochlear otosclerosis preoperatively.