The investigators aim to study whether surgical resurfacing of the sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb will result in elimination of venous pulsatile tinnitus.
Currently there is no known treatments with efficacy for venous pulsatile tinnitus without any pathology. The investigators hope to learn that in surgery, resurfacing of the sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb (acoustic dampening) will eliminate symptoms such as pulsatile tinnitus in patients. The knowledge learned will significantly help treat and alleviate future patients that have pulsatile tinnitus. The purpose of the study is to examine whether surgical resurfacing of the sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb will result in elimination of pulsatile tinnitus in human subjects.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Patient undergoes tympanomastoidectomy (approx 2 hour operation on ear and mastoid) where a local soft tissue flap is transferred to cover the sigmoid sinus, a cartilage and perichondrial graft is taken from the tragus to cover the jugular bulb).
Screening performed at outpatient clinic after consultation for management of venous pulsatile tinnitus. Consent and formal recruitment into study performed at preoperative visit or at audiological visit. The masking device is a hearing aid that provides sound that is aimed to negate the internal sound from the pulsatile tinnitus. Almost all hearing aid can be converted to a masking device for tinnitus. It is externally worn on the ear and provides sound at a desired volume. The benefits of wearing the masking device are that it may reduce the volume of the pulsatile tinnitus. As it is worn on the external ear and is not invasive there are minimal risks but potential risks could include irritation of the external ear and discomfort from wearing.
Change from baseline in patient-reported tinnitus score
Tinnitus severity rated on a 10-point Likert scale (range: 1-10; higher scores correspond to more severe symptoms).
Time frame: 12 Months
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