Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T05:42:39.184Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Comparison of auditory electrophysiological responses in normal-hearing patients with and without tinnitus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 April 2011

S Singh ,
S K Munjal  and
N K Panda
S Singh*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
S K Munjal
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
N K Panda
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Satbir Singh, Speech and Hearing Unit, Room No 441, 4th Floor, ENT Department, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India E-mail: satbirpgi2006@yahoo.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction:

Tinnitus is a disturbing symptom and is often the main reason for otology referral. It is usually associated with hearing loss of varying aetiology, and is thought to begin in the cochlea, with later abnormal central activity. We hypothesise that tinnitus without hearing loss may be caused by central and subcortical abnormalities and altered outer hair cell function.

Aim:

To compare the auditory brainstem responses, middle latency responses and otoacoustic emissions in normal-hearing individuals with and without tinnitus.

Methodology:

The audiological test results of 25 normal hearing subjects with tinnitus (age 18–45 years) were determined, and compared with those of a control group.

Results:

A statistically significant difference was found between study group tinnitus ears vs control group ears, as regards wave I latency prolongation, shortening of wave V and absolute I–III and I–V interpeak latency, enlargement of wave Na and Pa amplitude, and distortion product and transient evoked otoacoustic emission signal-to-noise ratios. There was no statistically significant difference between unilateral vs bilateral tinnitus ears.

Conclusion:

The pathogenesis and optimum management of tinnitus are still unclear. It often occurs with primary ear disease, usually associated with hearing loss, but may occur in patients with normal hearing. Observed changes in auditory brainstem and middle latency responses indicate central auditory alterations. Tinnitus involves both peripheral and central activity, and complete audiological and neurophysiological investigation is required. Management should be based on both audiological and neurophysiological findings.

Keywords

TinnitusAudiometryPure Tone AudiometrySpontaneous Otoacoustic EmissionsEvoked PotentialsAuditoryBrainstem
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 7 , July 2011 , pp. 668 - 672
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Barnea, G, Attias, J, Gold, S, Shahar, A. Tinnitus with normal hearing sensitivity: extended high frequency audiometry and auditory-nerve brain stem-evoked responses. Audiology 1990;29:36–45CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Moller, AR. Pathophysiology of tinnitus. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1984;93:39–44CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Jastreboff, PJ. Phantom auditory perception (tinnitus): mechanisms of generation and perception. Neurosci Res 1990;8:221–54Google Scholar
4Silman, S, Silverman, CA. Basic audiometric testing. In: Silman, S, Silverman, CA, eds. Auditory Diagnosis-Principles and Applications. San Diego: Singular; 1997:10–29Google Scholar
5Jerger, J. Clinical experience with impedance audiometry. Arch Otolaryngol 1970;92:311–24Google Scholar
6Coats, AC, Martin, JL. Human auditory nerve action potentials and brainstem evoked responses. Arch Otolaryngol 1977;24:97–100Google Scholar
7Maurizi, M, Ottaviani, F, Paludetti, G, Almadori, G, Tassoni, A. Contribution to the differentiation of peripheral versus central tinnitus via auditory brain stem response evaluation. Audiology 1985;24:207–16Google Scholar
8Lemaire, MC, Beutter, P. Brainstem auditory evoked responses in patients with tinnitus. Audiology 1995;34:287–300Google Scholar
9Ikner, CL, Hassen, AH. The effects of tinnitus on ABR latencies. Ear Hear 1990;11:16–20CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Moller, AR, Moller, MB, Jannetta, PJ. Compound action potentials recorded from the exposed eighth nerve in patients with intractable tinnitus. Laryngoscope 1992;102:187–97Google Scholar
11Gerken, GM, Hesse, PS, Wiorkowski, JJ. Auditory evoked responses in control subjects and in patients with problem tinnitus. Hear Res 2001;157:52–64CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed