Exclusive endoscopic management of incus long process major defects: conventional incus interposition versus malleostapediopexy.

PURPOSE: The aim of the current study is to compare the surgical and audiometric results of conventional incus interposition (IP) versus malleostapediopexy (MS) in incus long process large defects. METHODS: A total of 71 patients (incus IP group n = 37, MS group n = 34) were enrolled in this study. All patients enrolled in the current study underwent ossiculoplasty via an exclusive endoscopic transcanal approach. Pre- and postoperative audiometric measurements and air-bone gap (ABG) values were compared, and if the postoperative ABG value was less than 20 dB, ossiculoplasty was considered successful. Graft success rates and complications were also compared. RESULTS: The average auditory gain was 14.7 ± 4.2 dB in the incus IP group and 18.3 ± 5.1 dB in the MS group. The auditory gain was significantly greater in the MS group relative to the incus IP group (p = 0.012). Ossiculoplasty success (postoperative ABG value < 20 dB) rate was 70.3% in the incus IP group patients and 88.2% in the MS group patients (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in terms of graft success rate between groups (p > 0.05) and the overall graft uptake rate was 91.5% (65/71). CONCLUSION: Malleostapediopexy-bridging of malleus and stapes using bone cement-is an effective, reasonable, and more efficient technique in terms of auditory outcomes relative to the conventional incus interposition in endoscopic transcanal management of incus long process major defects.

Pure endoscopic transcanal revision cochlear implantation for a misplaced electrode array: A novel and minimally invasive approach.

OBJECTIVES: Misplacement of the CI electrode array is one of the rarest complications of cochlear implant surgery. This condition can be noticed intraoperatively and diagnosed radiologically in the early postoperative period. To present a novel and minimally invasive revision approach for a misplaced cochlear implant (CI) electrode array. CASE: In this case report, the authors present a previously undescribed alternative minimally invasive revision cochlear implantation approach for a patient with a misplaced CI electrode array in the right ear who underwent bilateral simultaneous cochlear implantation one and a half years ago at another center. CONCLUSION: To correct CI electrode array misplacement, the endoscopic transcanal approach is a safe and effective alternative to the conventional approach.

Cochlear implantation in Bjornstad syndrome: a case series with literature review.

BACKGROUND: To report the presentation, diagnostic process, management and results of cochlear implantation of patients diagnosed with Bjornstad syndrome with profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). CASE PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT: A retrospective report of two siblings with Bjornstad syndrome suffering profound SNHL unresponsive to conventional hearing aids treated with bilateral simultaneous cochlear implantation. SETTING: Tertiary-referral center. RESULTS: Cochlear implant surgeries of two siblings (four ears) with profound SNHL and bilateral inner ear anomaly (incomplete partition type 1) were performed without complications. Postoperative audiometric measurements showed a significiant improvement in pure-tone threshold and a word recognition score. In the literature review, no previous case of Bjornstad syndrome treated with cochlear implantation has been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Cochlear implantation is an effective, safe, and ultimate treatment option for Bjornstad syndrome with profound SNHL not responding to hearing aids.

A novel technique in treatment of advanced tympanosclerosis: results of malleus replacement and loop prostheses combination; pure endoscopic transcanal approach.

PURPOSE: The objectives of the present clinical trial are to describe our surgical technique for advanced tympanosclerosis (TS) and to present the comparison of pre-and postoperative audiometric results. METHODS: 21 patients suffering from advanced TS (Only type III and IV patients according to Wielinga-Kerr classification) were enrolled in this prospective study. A pure transcanal endoscopic approach was preferred for all patients included in the study. Titanium malleus replacement prosthesis (MRP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) loop prosthesis combination were used to bypass fixed ossicles to achieve sound transmission to the inner ear. Pre-and postoperative pure tone audiometry (PTA) measurements and air-bone gap (ABG) results compared, and surgical technique was considered successful if postoperative ABG was less than 20 dB. RESULTS: Six of the 21 patients had been operated on before and the tympanic membrane (TM) was intact. The remaining 15 of the 21 patients were the primary cases, and TM perforation repair and ossiculoplasty using combination of the MRP and PTFE loop prosthesis were performed at single-staged operation. The average preoperative ABG values significantly improved from 37.1 ± 6.2 to 14.5 ± 1.2 dB postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative air conduction threshold (ACT) significantly decreased from 51.7 ± 11.4 to 28.5 ± 9.1 dB (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TS surgery is still a controversial issue particularly in stapes footplate fixation. However, our surgical and audiological results in this study are quite promising. The combination of titanium MRP and PTFE loop prosthesis for restoring sound transmission in advanced TS cases is reliable, effective and novel treatment option via endoscopic transcanal approach.

Comparação da abordagem endoscópica transcanal e microscópica na timpanoplastia tipo 1

Resumo Introdução: A timpanoplastia endoscópica é uma cirurgia minimamente invasiva que pode ser feita através de uma abordagem exclusivamente transcanal. O uso de endoscópios em procedimentos otológicos tem aumentado no mundo todo. A abordagem endoscópica facilita a timpanoplastia transcanal mesmo em pacientes com canal auditivo externo estreito e com uma protrusão da parede anterior. Objetivos: O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar os resultados cirúrgicos e audiológicos das abordagens endoscópica transcanal e microscópica convencional na timpanoplastia tipo 1. Método: As taxas de sucesso do enxerto, os resultados auditivos, as complicações e a duração da cirurgia em pacientes submetidos a timpanoplastia endoscópica e microscópica entre outubro de 2015 e abril de 2018 foram analisados retrospectivamente. Resultados: As taxas de sucesso do enxerto foram de 94,8% e 92,9% para o grupo endoscópico e microscópico, respectivamente (p > 0,05). Os valores de gap aéreo-ósseo no pós-operatório melhoraram significantemente em ambos os grupos (p < 0,001). A duração média da cirurgia foi significantemente menor no grupo endoscópico (média de 34,9 minutos) em relação ao grupo microscópico (média de 52,7 minutos) (p < 0,05). O tempo médio de internação foi de 5,2 horas (variação de 3-6 horas) no grupo operado por endoscopia e de 26,1 horas (variação de 18-36 horas) no operado por microscopia (p < 0,05). Conclusão: A timpanoplastia transcanal via endoscópica é uma opção razoável à timpanoplastia microscópica convencional no tratamento da otite média crônica, com taxas de sucesso de enxertos e resultados auditivos comparáveis à microscópica.

Comparison of endoscopic transcanal and microscopic approach in Type 1 tympanoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic tympanoplasty is a minimally invasive surgery that may be performed via a solely transcanal approach. The use of endoscopes in otologic procedures has been increasing worldwide. The endoscopic approach facilitates the transcanal tympanoplasty, even in patients having the narrow external ear canal with an anterior wall protrusion. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to compare the surgical and audiological outcomes of endoscopic transcanal and conventional microscopic approach in Type 1 tympanoplasty. METHODS: The graft success rates, hearing outcomes, complications, and duration of surgery in patients who underwent endoscopic and microscopic tympanoplasty between October 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Graft success rates were 94.8 per cent and 92.9 per cent for the endoscopic and microscopic group, respectively (p >  0.05). Postoperative air-bone gap values were improved significantly in both groups (p <  0.001). The average duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the endoscopic group (mean 34.9 min) relative to the microscopic group (mean 52.7 min) (p <  0.05). The average hospitalization period was 5.2 h (range 3-6 h) in Group I whereas it was 26.1 h (range 18-36 h) in Group II (p <  0.05). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty approach is a reasonable alternative to conventional microscopic tympanoplasty in the treatment of chronic otitis media, with comparable graft success rates and hearing outcomes.

Comparison of hearing screening results of Syrian refugees and Turkish newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze Turkish (Host) and Syrian (Refugee) newborn hearing screening results and factors of risk. METHODS: All newborns between 02.12.2017 and 31.06.2019 were screened with Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test. A total of 874 newborns were examined (172 refugee and 702 host newborns). All screened patients were questioned in terms of consanguineous marriage, speech disorder in family, delivery method (normal vaginal birth/caesarean birth), birth weight, birth week, newborn intensive care unit (ICU) necessity, newborn icterus and phototherapy. RESULT: As for the host newborns, 360 (51.3%) passed ABR screening, 161 (23%) failed in either one ear, and 181 (25.8%) failed both ears. As for the refugee newborns, 60 (34.9%) passed ABR screening, 38 (22.1%) failed in either one ear, and 74 (43.0%) failed both ears. There was a significant statistical difference between host and refugee newborns' ears in terms of hearing loss detected in the screening test (p = 0.017). In terms of delivery method, the caesarean rate was higher in refugees, and a statistically significant difference existed between two groups (p = 0.023). There was a significant difference between refugee newborns and host newborns in terms of newborn ICU necessity rate (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: It was demonstrated clearly that hearing screening test results between the two groups were affected by low socio-economic level when host and refugees newborns were compared. In line with the findings of this study, it should be taken into account that bad living conditions depending on war and immigration throughout pregnancy, delivery method, and the need for newborn ICU in the newborn period may affect hearing results in newborns significantly.

Evaluation of Surgical and Audiological Outcomes of Push-Through Myringoplasty and Underlay Cartilage Tympanoplasty in Repairing Anterior Tympanic Membrane Perforations.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic push-through myringoplasty (PTM) that could be performed by the endoscopic transcanal approach is a minimally invasive procedure in repairing anterior quadrant perforations of the tympanic membrane. Push-through myringoplasty does not require any skin incision rather than graft harvesting and also does not require tympanomeatal flap elevation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to compare the surgical and audiological outcomes of PTM and conventional retroauricular underlay cartilage tympanoplasty (UCT) in the treatment of patients with anterior tympanic membrane (TM) perforation. METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted on total of 71 subjects with anterior TM perforation who underwent PTM (n = 32) and UCT (n = 39). Graft uptake rates, audiological outcomes, duration of surgery (DoS), and complications were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: Graft uptake rates of the PTM and UCT group were 90.6% and 89.7%, respectively (P = 0.512). According to pure tone audiometry measurements at postoperative month 6, the air-bone gap (ABG) values remarkably improved in both PTM and UCT groups without any significant difference (P = 0.654). The average DoS was shorter in the PTM (29.7 ±â€Š5.7 minutes) group relative to the UCT (48.7 ±â€Š11.3 minutes) group, and the difference was extremely significant (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Push-through myringoplasty yielding shorter DoS and fewer postoperative complication and morbidity may serve as an efficient alternative to conventional microscopic UCT in treatment of anterior TM perforations, with comparable graft uptake rates and audiological outcomes.

Submandibular Gland Surgery; Transoral Versus Conventional Transcervical Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Transcervical approach (TCA) is a widely accepted method of surgery in submandibular gland (SMG) excision. The main purpose of the present study is to compare the surgical and functional outcomes of TCA and transoral approach (TOA) in SMG excision. METHODS: The participants of this prospective study are 31 consecutive patients in whom SMG excision was performed via TOA (n = 14) and TCA (n = 17). Operative time, complications, hospitalization time, postoperative morbidities, and histopathological results were noted and compared between the groups. The numerical rating scale was used to grade the postoperative morbidities including, pain, eating and swallowing difficulty, and abnormal sense of tongue. RESULTS: The number of females (n = 10) was higher than males (n = 4) in the TOA group due to aesthetic concerns. The average operative time of TOA group (85.3 ±â€Š17.8 minutes) was significantly longer than the TCA group (40.8 ±â€Š7.3 minutes), whereas the mean hospitalization time in TOA group (28.5 ±â€Š4.6 hours) was remarkably shorter than TCA group (49.4 ±â€Š6.9 hours). The mean pain scores were significantly less in the TOA group than the TCA group during the first 3 days postoperatively (P < 0.001). The mean numerical rating scale scores of eating and swallowing difficulty and abnormal sense of tongue were significantly higher in the TOA group compared to the TCA group postoperatively. There was no postoperative marginal mandibular nerve (MMN) dysfunction seen in the TAO group, whereas temporary dysfunction of MMN was observed in 3 (17.6%) patients in the TCA group. CONCLUSION: In selected patients, transoral SMG excision is an indisputable superior method in terms of MMN inadvertent injury risk, cosmetic results and postoperative pain compared to the conventional method of TCA in selected cases. Especially in young female patients with serious aesthetic concerns, excision of SMG via a TOA without any visible incision provides cosmetically excellent satisfactory results.

Comparison of Endoscope-Assisted Coblation Adenoidectomy to Conventional Curettage Adenoidectomy in Terms of Postoperative Eustachian Tube Function.

INTRODUCTION: Adenoidectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in children in otorhinolaryngology practice. This study aims to compare the conventional curettage adenoidectomy (CCA) and the endoscope-assisted coblation adenoidectomy (EACA) in terms of the postoperative Eustachian tube function and the surgical outcomes. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled study was carried out at a tertiary referral center and private hospital. Seventy-two adenoid hypertrophy patients without middle ear disease were randomly assigned to 2 groups to be operated via CCA and EACA techniques prior to surgery. Parameters including middle ear pressure values (MEPV), operative time, intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative residual adenoid tissue, and postoperative pain were compared between groups. RESULTS: In the CCA group for both ears, there was a statistically significant difference between preoperative mean MEPV and mean MEPV of postoperative day 1, while MEPV returned to normal ranges at the postoperative day 7. No statistically significant differences were observed in mean MEPV on preoperatively and 1st and 7th postoperative days in the EACA group for both right and left ears. Mean operative time was significantly higher in the EACA group compared to the CCA group (P < 0.001). Eight (22.2%) out of 36 patients who underwent CCA had a residual adenoid tissue postoperatively, while there was no residual adenoid tissue in any patients who operated via the EACA technique. Mean pain score on postoperative day 1 and 2 and blood loss were significantly less in the EACA group than the CCA group. CONCLUSION: Endoscope-assisted coblation adenoidectomy may serve a reasonable alternative to conventional curettage adenoidectomy because it provides Eustachian tube functions preserved, decreased intraoperative hemorrhage, complete resection of the adenoid tissue, and lower pain score.

Endoscopic transcanal versus conventional microscopic tympanoplasty in treatment of anterior tympanic membrane perforations.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty (ETT) and conventional microscopic tympanoplasty (CMT) in repairing anterior tympanic membrane perforations (ATMPs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the graft success rate, hearing outcomes, operative time, hospitalization period and complications in patients who underwent ETT and CMT between October 2015 and July 2018. In addition, the authors investigated whether anterior canal wall protrusion (ACWP) affects the graft success rate and operative time. RESULTS: The graft success rates for ETT and CMT were 93.7% (30 out of 32 patients) and 91.4% (32 out of 35 patients), respectively (p = 0.640). There was no significant relationship between ACWP and graft success rates in either the endoscopic (p = 0.685) and microscopic (p = 0.894) group. The mean operative time was significantly shorter in the ETT group (37.2 ± 3.1 min) than in the CMT group (52.9 ± 9.2 min) (p < 0.001). Regarding operative time, there was no statistically significant difference between patients with and without ACWP (38.3 versus 36.3 min, respectively (p = 0.124)) in the ETT group. However, the mean operative time of patients with ACWP in the CMT group was significantly longer than patients without ACWP [62.3 versus 48.8 min, respectively (p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: ETT offering fewer complication rates and shorter duration of surgery may serve as a reasonable alternative to CMT in repairing ATMPs, with comparable graft success rates.

Comparison of surgical and audiological outcomes of endoscopic and microscopic approach in stapes surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of the present study were to compare the surgical and audiological outcomes of endoscopic and microscopic approach in stapes surgery. METHODS: Sixty-one patients who underwent the stapes surgery with the endoscopic and microscopic approach between January 2012-November 2018 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups as a Group-I (endoscopic) and Group-II (microscopic). The audiometric measurements, duration of surgery, intraoperative findings and complications were recorded and evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean operative time for the Group-I and II was 45.1±8.4 minutes and 48.7±5.6 minutes, respectively (p>0.05). The preoperative and postoperative average air-bone gap in the Group-I was 27.8±7.2 dB and 8.7±3.4 dB and these values in Group-II were 30.2±5.1 dB and 7.4±4.8 dB, respectively (p<0.001). The requirement of chorda tympani nerve manipulation and scutum curettage were significantly less in Group-I as compared Group-II (p<0.05). Dysgeusia and postoperative pain were observed significantly higher ratios in Group-II relative to Group-I (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between endoscopic and microscopic approach in stapes surgery in terms of difficulty of prosthesis insertion (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic stapes surgery provides comparable audiological outcomes, shorter operative times, fewer complications rates, and more minimally invasive surgery, relative to the microscopic approach.

An Extremely Rare Cause of Headache; Osteoma of the Middle Concha Bullosa.

Osteomas are benign, slow-growing tumors originating from bone tissue. Osteomas of the paranasal region, which are usually asymptomatic, are detected incidentally on tomographies taken for other medical needs. Paranasal sinus osteomas frequently localized in the frontal and ethmoid sinuses are among the infrequent reasons for headaches. In this case report, the authors submit the first case of an osteoma that was localized inside the middle concha bullosa and causing headache. It was successfully excised via an endoscopic endonasal approach without any complications.

Relationship between otorhinologic trauma and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms in children.

OBJEVTIVES: Otorhinologic trauma is an important condition at the ear, nose and throat (ENT) outpatient clinic in children. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been identified as a potential risk factor that may contribute to the incidence of traumatic injuries. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is an association between otorhinologic trauma and ADHD symptoms in children. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between September 2017 and March 2018. Fifty-six pediatric patients admitted to the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) outpatient clinic of a research and training hospital aged between 4 and 18 years were included. The control group consisted of 56 age- and gender-similar children without otorhinologic trauma. Conner's parent Rating Scale (CPRS) was used to evaluate the ADHD symptoms. RESULTS: The children with otorhinologic trauma had significantly higher mean scores in all subscales, including inattentiveness, hyperactivity, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, analysis of the study group showed that the hyperactivity score in the subgroup with a history of repetitive injuries were significantly higher than those of the subgroup without a history of repetitive injuries (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that patients admitted to the ENT outpatient clinic for otorhinologic trauma had a higher number of ADHD and ODD symptoms than those who did not have otorhinologic trauma. Psychiatric evaluation for ADHD and ODD should be considered for patients admitted to clinics with similar injuries, especially those who have a history of repetitive injuries.

Cervical Tracheal Resection and Anastomosis for Postintubation Tracheal Stenosis.

In this study the authors evaluated the outcomes of tracheal resection and anastomosis in postintubation tracheal stenosis. The authors also aimed to identify clinical and radiological factors associated with restenosis. Thirty-four consecutive patients were included in the study. Patients with subglottic stenosis who underwent procedures involving cricoid cartilage and patients with other etiologies were excluded from the study. Univariate analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for restenosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for the diameter of the narrowest part of the trachea (Dst) and the distance between cricoid cartilage and stenosis (Dcs). Of the 34 patients, 31 (91.1%) patients were successfully decannulated. Nineteen (55.8%) patients had complications. After univariate analysis, Dst (P = 0.001), Dcs (P = 0.001), smoking (P = 0.007) and grade of the stenosis (P = 0.003) were significantly associated with restenosis. The sensitivity and specificity were 90.9% and 77.3%, respectively, when the cutoff value for Dst was 4 mm. Sensitivity and specificity were 72.7% and 100%, respectively, when the cutoff value for Dcs was 10 mm. Tracheal resection and anastomosis is an effective surgical method for treating postintubation tracheal stenosis. In our series, 91.1% of the patients with postintubation tracheal stenosis were successfully decannulated. Restenosis was the most common complication. The diameter of the narrowest part of the trachea (Dst), the distance between cricoid cartilage and stenosis (Dcs), smoking and grade of stenosis were significantly associated with restenosis.

Treatment of Congenital Choanal Atresia via Transnasal Endoscopic Method.

OBJECTIVES: Congenital choanal atresia (CCA) is a very rare abnormality of the nose, but in the case of bilateral presence, it becomes a life-threatening malformation. Various surgical treatment options, such as transpalatal, transseptal, and open rhinoplasty techniques, as well as the transnasal approach, have been defined for the repair of CCA. In this study, the authors intended to evaluate the outcomes of transnasal endoscopic surgery for CCA, and stent implementation's impact on surgical success. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Gaziantep University and patients who had not undergone CCA surgery before were included in the study. Patients who underwent transnasal endoscopic choanal atresia surgery (TECAS) were advised to have regular nasal endoscopic examinations performed at check-ups; after a 6-month follow-up period, surgical results were evaluated concerning whether stenosis had occurred or not. RESULTS: Of the 48 patients who underwent TECAS after a minimum 6-month follow-up period, 34 of patients revealed no stenosis, so the overall surgical success rate was 70.8%. Fourteen (29.2%) patients who underwent TECAS developed stenosis and required revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Transnasal endoscopic choanal atresia surgery is the most preferred approach for CCA repair and has many advantages, such as excellent vision, shorter operative time, minimal bleeding, and minimum complication. Despite advances in endovision systems and surgical instruments, stenosis is the most challenging problem after TECAS, so new treatment strategies should be developed to prevent stenosis.

Oxidative stress in otosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Otosclerosis is a disease involving abnormal bone turnover in the human otic capsule that results in hearing loss. Several hypotheses have been suggested for the etiopathogenesis of otosclerosis; however, its etiology remains unclear. METHODS: This study evaluated the correlation between otosclerosis and levels of paraoxonase-1 (PON1), arylesterase, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), total sulfhydryl (-SH) groups, lipid hydroperoxide, and ceruloplasmin in the serum of otosclerosis patients and healthy subjects with respect to oxidative stress. RESULTS: In our study, TOS and OSI levels were higher in the otosclerosis patients than in the controls. The PON1 levels showed that oxidative stress was severe, and as a result, antioxidants were consumed and depleted. DISCUSSION: When an imbalance between oxygen free radical production and antioxidative defense mechanisms occurs, reactive oxygen species levels may increase, which in turn may damage cells and tissues through the peroxidation of phospholipid membrane structures. The body initially responds with increased antioxidant production, but if the oxidative stress is severe, decreased antioxidant levels may result. This study reports expression levels of oxidative stress species in otosclerosis patients.

Masking Treatment and its Effect on Tinnitus Parameters.

OBJECTIVE: Tinnitus is described as the perception of sound without any external acoustic stimulation. Any pathology of auditory pathways or any system of the human body may result with tinnitus. The pathophysiology of tinnitus accompanying the disorders of auditory system is not fully understood and there is not any particular effective treatment method has been specified. Tinnitus masking therapy has been reported as an effective treatment modality in the treatment of tinnitus. In this study, the results of tinnitus masking treatment on the parameters were evaluated prospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with normal physical examination was enrolled in the study. Blood tests (complete blood count, biochemical analysis of lipid profile, and thyroid hormones), pure tone audiometry, tympanometric measurement of the middle ear pressure and stapedial reflexes were performed, Sixty six patients with normal results of blood tests and normal hearing thresholds with type A tympanogram were included. Tinnitus sufferers questionnaires (socio-demographics, clinical information, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was filled, audiological tests were performed, tinnitus parameters (frequency, intensity, minimal masking levels, residual inhibition) were measured. After four weeks of the treatment the questionnaires were repeated. RESULTS: Masking treatment for tinnitus patients resulted with significant decrease in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and VAS scores. After four weeks of the masking treatment the questionnaire was repeated. Twenty patients did not respond to treatment. CONCLUSION: Masking therapy is one of the most effective methods of treatment for tinnitus patients. Masking therapy, that is not invasive and cost-effective has an important place in the treatment of tinnitus. Especially in a short time provides a significant reduction in tinnitus parameters.