Changes in the tinnitus handicap questionnaire after cochlear implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine (a) changes in the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ) for patients using cochlear implants, (b) differences between patients who receive total or partial relief, and (c) identifiable characteristics of those who report tinnitus after implantation.


METHODS
Pre- and postoperatively, 244 adults were administered the THQ when they reported tinnitus.


RESULTS
Of the 153 patients who had tinnitus preoperatively, 94 (61%) patients reported total suppression and 59 (39%) reported a partial reduction. In 91 patients who did not have tinnitus before implantation, 11 (12%) reported tinnitus postimplantation. The THQ score decreased from 41% preimplant to 30% postimplant. The largest reductions involved social handicap and hearing. Patients with a more severe hearing loss might be more likely to experience an exacerbation of their tinnitus. We were not able to clearly identify differences between patients who received total or partial relief and the characteristics of patients who reported tinnitus after implantation. Those who acquired tinnitus had the shortest duration hearing loss (5.6 years) and were the oldest (63 years). The average THQ score of patients getting tinnitus was 29%.


CONCLUSIONS
Most tinnitus patients benefit from receiving a cochlear implant.
Pan
Tao
T
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242-1009, USA. tao-pan@uiowa.edu
Tyler
Richard S
RS
Ji
Haihong
H
Coelho
Claudia
C
Gehringer
Anne K
AK
Gogel
Stephanie A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult