Daniel S Roberts1, Steve Otto, Brian Chen, Kevin A Peng, Marc S Schwartz, Derald E Brackmann, John W House. 1. *Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut †House Clinic and House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, California ‡Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas §House Clinic, Neurosurgery, Los Angeles, California ||Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, California.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) can impact levels of tinnitus in neurofibromatosis type-2 (NF2) patients who have undergone translabyrinthine craniotomy for vestibular schwannoma (VS) removal and to evaluate the burden of tinnitus in these patients. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series and patient survey. SETTING: Tertiary neurotologic referral center. PATIENTS: NF2 patients who underwent translabyrinthine removal of VS and ABI placement between 1994 and 2015. INTERVENTIONS: A survey, retrospective review and two validated tinnitus handicap questionnaires (tinnitus handicap inventory [THI] and tinnitus visual analogue scale [VAS]) were used to characterize the degree of tinnitus in NF2 patients and whether an ABI can alter tinnitus levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES(S): Survey results, THI and VAS scores. RESULTS: One hundred twelve ABI users were contacted and 43 patients (38.3)% responded to our survey. Tinnitus was reported in 83.7% of patients. The THI score for responders was 17.8 ± 20.5 standard deviation (SD). For survey participants, the ABI reduced tinnitus levels (mean VAS: Off = 3.5; On 1-h = 2.1; p = 0.048). For patients who subjectively reported that the ABI reduced tinnitus loudness, tinnitus levels were immediately reduced on ABI activation and after 1 hour of use (mean VAS: Off = 4.8; On = 2.4; On 1-h = 1.8; p < 0.01). Suppression did not continue after the device was turned off. Audiological performance with the ABI did not correlate with tinnitus suppression. CONCLUSION: NF2 patients who have undergone removal of VS have a significant tinnitus handicap and benefit from tinnitus suppression through utilization of an ABI possibly through masking or electrical stimulation of the auditory brainstem.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) can impact levels of tinnitus in neurofibromatosis type-2 (NF2) patients who have undergone translabyrinthine craniotomy for vestibular schwannoma (VS) removal and to evaluate the burden of tinnitus in these patients. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series and patient survey. SETTING: Tertiary neurotologic referral center. PATIENTS: NF2patients who underwent translabyrinthine removal of VS and ABI placement between 1994 and 2015. INTERVENTIONS: A survey, retrospective review and two validated tinnitus handicap questionnaires (tinnitus handicap inventory [THI] and tinnitus visual analogue scale [VAS]) were used to characterize the degree of tinnitus in NF2patients and whether an ABI can alter tinnitus levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES(S): Survey results, THI and VAS scores. RESULTS: One hundred twelve ABI users were contacted and 43 patients (38.3)% responded to our survey. Tinnitus was reported in 83.7% of patients. The THI score for responders was 17.8 ± 20.5 standard deviation (SD). For survey participants, the ABI reduced tinnitus levels (mean VAS: Off = 3.5; On 1-h = 2.1; p = 0.048). For patients who subjectively reported that the ABI reduced tinnitus loudness, tinnitus levels were immediately reduced on ABI activation and after 1 hour of use (mean VAS: Off = 4.8; On = 2.4; On 1-h = 1.8; p < 0.01). Suppression did not continue after the device was turned off. Audiological performance with the ABI did not correlate with tinnitus suppression. CONCLUSION:NF2patients who have undergone removal of VS have a significant tinnitus handicap and benefit from tinnitus suppression through utilization of an ABI possibly through masking or electrical stimulation of the auditory brainstem.
Authors: Kunal R Shetty; Sarah E Ridge; Vivek Kanumuri; Angela Zhu; M Christian Brown; Daniel J Lee Journal: World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2021-04-06
Authors: Minke J C van den Berge; J M C van Dijk; Jan D M Metzemaekers; Bert Maat; Rolien H Free; Pim van Dijk Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-06-14 Impact factor: 2.692