The Effect of Endoscopic Tympanoplasty on Cochlear Function

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective clinical study was to measure the audiologic outcomes of the patients that underwent endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty, and to investigate the effects on cochlear function. METHODS: Thirty-three patients (33 ears) who were diagnosed with noncomplicated chronic otitis media and underwent endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty technique were included. Pre- and postoperative first month distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bone conduction hearing levels and air bone gap (ABG) values were measured and total endoscope usage time was noted. RESULTS: Preoperative median SNR measurements at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were 6 dB (1–11; interquartile range [IQR], 1), 6 dB (4–20; IQR, 1), 7 dB (3–26; IQR, 5) and 5.50 dB (0–9; IQR, 3), respectively. Postoperative median SNR measurements at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were 6 dB (3–9; IQR, 1), 6 dB (2–21; IQR, 3), 7 dB (2–20; IQR, 3), and 6 dB (0–10; IQR, 7), respectively. Regarding the DPOAE measurements, there was no statistically significant difference between the SNR values of all given frequencies (P>0.05). Regarding the pure tone audiometry (PTA) measurements, bone conduction was significantly better at 0.5 and 1 kHz, postoperatively (P<0.05) and there was statistically significant difference at 2 and 4 kHz (P>0.05). Additionally, no statistically significant correlation was found between the SNR and PTA measurements and the endoscope usage time (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggested that cochlear functions and sensorineural hearing remained stable after endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty and cold light source doesn’t cause significant adverse effects cochlear functions.