Myringotomy and Tinnitus

[Marie]

Can you comment on why a myringotomy would cause someone to have tinnitus in that ear only immediately following procedure? Is it typical for tinnitus to become 80-90% quieter than when it first started? Do I have any chance of it stopping?

 

[Dr. Nagler]

Can you comment on why a myringotomy would cause someone to have tinnitus in that ear only immediately following procedure? Is it typical for tinnitus to become 80-90% quieter than when it first started? Do I have any chance of it stopping?

Marie, my best guess - strictly a guess - is that it could be due to a sudden change in middle ear pressure as a result of release of the fluid that necessitated the myringotomy in the first place.

I see the fact that the tinnitus has become 80-90% quieter over what I presume is a relatively short span of time to be a good prognostic sign.

Hope this helps.

Dr. Stephen Nagler