Article

Up to 53% of individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries
develop tinnitus. OBJECTIVE: To review the current literature on
trauma-associated tinnitus in order to provide orientation for the clinical
management of patients with trauma-associated tinnitus. MATERIALS: A systematic
literature search has been conducted in PubMed database applying the search terms
posttraumatic tinnitus and trauma-associated tinnitus. Results have been
complemented by related studies, book chapters, and the authors' clinical
experience. RESULTS: Not only mechanical, pressure-related, or noise-related head
traumata but also neck injuries and emotional trauma can cause tinnitus. Exact
diagnosis is essential. Disorders such as ossicular chain disruption, traumatic
eardrum perforation, or perilymphatic fistula can be surgically treated. It
should also be considered that pulsatile tinnitus can be a sign of
life-threatening disorders such as carotid cavernous fistulas, arteriovenous
malformations, and carotid dissections. Also, posttraumatic stress disorder
should be taken into consideration as a potential contributing factor.
CONCLUSIONS: There is an evident mismatch between the high incidence of
trauma-associated tinnitus and scarce literature on the topic. A consistent
and-at best-standardized assessment of tinnitus- and hearing-related sequelae of
trauma is recommended both for the improvement of clinical care and for a deeper
understanding of the various pathophysiological mechanisms of trauma-associated
tinnitus.

Langue : ANGLAIS