Objective: This project aimed to investigate the differences in the intra-regional brain activity and inter-regional functional connectivity in subjects with tinnitus only and subjects with hearing loss and tinnitus, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) technologies, including the Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC). Method: We acquired rs-fMRI scans from 82 subjects (21 tinnitus subjects without hearing loss, 32 subjects with tinnitus and hearing loss, and 29 subjects as healthy control). Age, gender, and year of education were matched across all three groups. We consecutively performed ALFF, ReHo, and Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC) for all subjects. Result: Compared with the control group (CN), subjects with tinnitus only (T group) and with tinnitus and hearing loss (T+H group) manifested significantly reduced ALFF and ReHo activity within the left and right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG). Additional Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC) revealed decreased connectivity between the dorsolateral SFG (left and right) and right Superior Parietal Gyrus (SPG), right Middle Frontal Gyrus (MFG), and left medial Superior Frontal Gyrus (mSFG) within these two groups. No significant differences were observed between the T and T+H groups. Conclusion: Upon analyzing our data, we suggested disruptions in brain regions responsible for attention and stimuli monitoring and orientations contribute to tinnitus generation. Thus, hearing loss might not be the primary cause of tinnitus.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the differences in intra-regional brain activity and inter-regional functional connectivity between patients with recent-onset tinnitus (ROT) and persistent tinnitus (PT) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), including the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and voxel-wise functional connectivity (FC).MethodWe acquired rs-fMRI scans from 82 patients (25 without recent-onset tinnitus, 28 with persistent tinnitus, and 29 healthy controls). Age, sex, and years of education were matched across the three groups. We performed ALFF, ReHo, and voxel-wise FC analyses for all patients.ResultsCompared with the control group, participants with ROT and PT manifested significantly reduced ALFF and ReHo activity within the left and right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and gyrus rectus (GR). Additional voxel-wise FC revealed decreased connectivity between the dorsolateral SFG (left and right) and the right superior parietal gyrus (SPG), right middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and left medial superior frontal gyrus (mSFG) within these two groups. Significant differences were observed between the ROT and PT groups, with the ROT group demonstrating reduced FC.ConclusionOur data suggest that patients with PT have more difficulty monitoring external stimuli and reorienting attention than patients with ROT. In addition, patients who perceive higher levels of disruption from tinnitus are more likely to develop persistent and debilitating tinnitus once the tinnitus lasts longer than six months. Therefore, we strongly recommend that clinicians implement effective tinnitus management strategies in patients with ROT as soon as possible.

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ObjectiveTo describe the characteristics of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) in wideband acoustic immittance (WAI) and to explore whether inner ear deformity has an impact on WAI results.MethodsSubjects with typical LVAS (LVAS group) and control subjects with a normal anatomical structure of the inner ear (control group) were screened from pediatric patients with cochlear implants using thin-slice computed tomography (CT) images of the temporal bone. With inflammation of the auditory canal and middle ear excluded by routine ear examination and 226 Hz acoustic immittance, WAI data were acquired. Then, the maximum absorbance as the major observation indicator on the mean tympanogram was compared between the LVAS group and control group, and a descriptive comparison of the mean tympanogram and frequency-absorbance curve at peak pressure was performed between the two groups.ResultsThe LVAS group included 21 cases (38 ears), and the control group included 27 cases (45 ears). All LVAS subjects met the Valvassori criteria, and the VA at the horizontal semicircular canal displayed flared expansion. On the mean tympanogram, the maximum absorbance in the LVAS group (0.542 ± 0.087) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.455 ± 0.087) (p < 0.001). The tympanogram in the LVAS group showed an overall elevation, and the absorbance at all pressure sampling points was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.001). The frequency-absorbance curve at peak pressure first increased and then decreased in both groups, and the LVAS group showed higher absorbance than the control group in the frequency range below 2,828 Hz. The absorbance at 343–1,124 Hz was significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.001), and 343–1,124 Hz was the major frequency range at which the maximum absorbance on the mean tympanogram increased in the LVAS group.ConclusionLarge vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) shows increased absorbance in low and medium frequency ranges in WAI. The maximum absorbance on the mean tympanogram can serve as a reliable evaluation indicator. Inner ear factors must be considered when middle ear lesions are analyzed by WAI.

Objective: This project aimed to investigate the differences in the intra-regional brain activity and inter-regional functional connectivity between patients with recent-onset tinnitus and persistent tinnitus using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) technologies, including the Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC). Method: We acquired rs-fMRI scans from 82 subjects (25 subjects without recent-onset tinnitus, 28 subjects with persistent tinnitus, and 29 subjects as healthy control). Age, gender, and year of education were matched across all three groups. We performed ALFF, ReHo, and Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC) for all subjects. Result: Compared with the control group (CN), subjects with recent-onset tinnitus (ROT) and with persistent tinnitus (PT) manifested significantly reduced ALFF and ReHo activity within the left and right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and Gyrus Rectus (GR). Additional Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC) revealed decreased connectivity between the dorsolateral SFG (left and right) and right Superior Parietal Gyrus (SPG), right Middle Frontal Gyrus (MFG), and left medial Superior Frontal Gyrus (mSFG) within these two groups. Significant differences were observed between the ROT and PT groups, with the ROT group demonstrating reduced functional connectivities. Conclusion: Upon analyzing our data, we suggested that patients with persistent tinnitus have more difficulty monitoring external stimuli and reorienting attention than patients with recent-onset tinnitus. In addition, patients who perceive higher levels of disruption from tinnitus are more likely to develop persistent and debilitating tinnitus once the tinnitus lasts longer than six months. Therefore, we strongly recommend that clinicians implement effective tinnitus management strategies for patients with recent-onset tinnitus as soon as possible.