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Prevalence and management outcomes of tonic tensor tympani syndrome in an ENT audiology tinnitus clinic in Singapore

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2023

Shu Hwei Linette Tan Open the ORCID record for Shu Hwei Linette Tan [Opens in a new window]  and
Gary Jek Chong Lee
Shu Hwei Linette Tan*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
Gary Jek Chong Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
*
Corresponding author: Shu Hwei Linette Tan; Email: linette_sh_tan@nuhs.edu.sg
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Abstract

Objective

Tonic tensor tympani syndrome is found in a subset of tinnitus patients who experience intra-aural and peri-aural symptoms, in addition to their tinnitus, in the absence of clinically detectable pathology. As the syndrome has not been widely reported, this study aims to determine its prevalence and evaluate the effectiveness of current management.

Methods

The tinnitus management clinic records of patients over the past six years were assessed to identify tonic tensor tympani syndrome patients and track their progress based on patient-reported Tinnitus Handicap Index scores. Patients with reversible ear pathology and temporomandibular joint disorder were excluded.

Results

It was found that 13 per cent of the tinnitus management patients fulfilled the criteria for tonic tensor tympani syndrome and 94 per cent of those who returned for follow up showed an improvement in their Tinnitus Handicap Index grades.

Conclusion

This study suggests that tonic tensor tympani syndrome is a significant problem among tinnitus patients and current tinnitus management strategies contribute effectively to helping such patients habituate to their symptoms.

Keywords

Tinnitustonic tensor tympani syndromehyperacusis
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 138 , Issue 6 , June 2024 , pp. 627 - 633
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Shu Hwei Linette Tan takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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