Seventy-six cases of sudden deafness with tinnitus were selected and treated according to the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Sudden Deafness (2015). After 2 weeks, the tinnitus disability scale (THI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were analyzed. All patients were provided psychological counseling at discharge. Individualized short-term medication, masking therapy, acclimatization therapy, and hearing aid therapy were provided to those who could not adapt to tinnitus. At the 1-year follow-up, patients who still experienced tinnitus were treated with masking therapy or acclimatization.

Before and after 2 weeks of routine treatment, the THI scores of the 76 patients were 49.71±2.69 and 41.04±2.84, respectively (t=3.935, P < 0.001); VAS scores were 5.17±0.20 and 4.22±0.25, respectively (t=5.010, P < 0.001). Hearing was good in 53 cases and poor in 23 cases. The difference in THI before and after routine treatment in the good and poor hearing groups was 13.57±2.27 and -2.60±4.28, respectively (t=3.339, P=0.002); the VAS difference before and after routine treatment in the good and poor hearing groups was 1.35±0.17 and 0±0.43, respectively (t=2.953, P=0.006). After psychological counseling, patients were followed up for 1 year by telephone. Of these, 53 patients had adapted to tinnitus, accounting for 69.7% of patients. Twenty-three patients returned to hospital due to tinnitus, accounting for 30.3% of patients. The THI scores ranged between 18 and 92 with an average of 56.6, a mean mostly driven by scores in 3-4 patients with severe tinnitus. The VAS scores at 2 weeks and 1 year were 4.22±0.25 and 3.39±0.18, respectively. There was a significant difference in VAS scores between the two time periods (t=6.362, P < 0.001). After treatment for 2 weeks, tinnitus resolved in four patients and was significantly alleviated in seven patients, alleviated in 11 patients, unchanged in 49 patients, and aggravated in five patients. Tinnitus was reduced by 28.9%. After one year of treatment, tinnitus resolved in six patients and was significantly alleviated in 10 patients, alleviated in 14 patients, unchanged in 42 patients, and aggravated in four patients. In total, for 39.5% of patients, tinnitus was alleviated. After treatment for 2 weeks and 1 year later, there was a significant difference in the rate of tinnitus relief, (χ²=43.978, P < 0.001). After 1 year, 31 patients were completely adapted to tinnitus, and 40 patients were largely adapted; the total adaptation rate was 92.1%. Six patients found it difficult to adapt.

Routine treatment, psychological counseling, masking therapy, and acclimatization therapy for sudden deafness have positive effects on tinnitus. Patients with tinnitus recovered well after individualized treatment.