A Correlational Study of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) Scores and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Among Tinnitus Patients.

To determine the level of disability in patients suffering from tinnitus using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score, to evaluate the changes in otoacoustic emissions in a patient with tinnitus and evaluate the co-relation of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score with the Otoacoustic emission result This is an observational study done over a period of 6 months, in which patients aged more than 18 years who presented to the ENT OPD of our institute with complaints of tinnitus were considered for inclusion in the study. Patients with primary tinnitus, who consented to be part of the study were assessed for handicap caused by tinnitus using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score. All patients were subjected to Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) and Screening OAE to look for the "Pass" or "Refer" in the OAE result. The THI score was compared with the OAE results to look for any correlation. 52 patients with tinnitus were evaluated in this study. In patients with OAE "Pass", the average THI score was 14.55, while in patients with OAE "Refer", the average THI score was 26.13. The higher THI score among tinnitus patients with OAE result "refer" was evaluated using a sample test, which showed a value of 0.001, indicating a high statistical significance. So, a strong positive correlation exists between tinnitus severity as determined by the THI score and the OAE outcome. This study showed a strong positive correlation between the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) Score and OHC dysfunction (assessed using OAE). The possibility of OHC being the site of primary pathology leading to tinnitus cannot be ruled out. Further research using a more objective measure of tinnitus, like tinnitus frequency and intensity matching with OHC function, would establish a stronger association between tinnitus and OHC function.