Randomised controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of IV injection of caroverine and intratympanic steroid injection in the treatment of cochlear synaptic tinnitus with sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Cochlear synaptic tinnitus with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common type of subjective tinnitus. Many therapies were tried, but nothing is well proven to cure this. Hence, our present study aims to assess the efficacy of intravenous (IV) injection of caroverine and intratympanic steroid injection in treatment of cochlear synaptic tinnitus with SNHL.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study was carried out at the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department with 60 patients (22 male, 38 female) between the ages of 20 and 70 who had idiopathic tinnitus. Patients who met inclusion criteria were randomized by simple randomization and divided into two groups. The study group receives intratympanic dexamethasone, twice weekly for total three weeks and stat dose of IV caroverine. The control group receives an intratympanic isotonic solution with an IV caroverine placebo. Tinnitus handicap index (THI) score and pure tone averages (PTA) were done before treatment and in the first week, first month, and six months after completing the study protocol. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In the study group, pre-treatment results, and post-treatment first, sixth month THI scores, PTA results were different to a significant extent, whereas in the control group, the same scores were not different significantly. The THI scores between the groups revealed considerably lower scores in the first and six months for the study group. Successful treatment was defined as a decrease in PTA by 10 dB or more after six months.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The effect of the intratympanic injection of dexamethasone along with IV injection of caroverine on the efficacy of treatment of tinnitus severity and improving hearing was statistically significant.</p>