Effects of intra-tympanic platelet-rich plasma and conventional method in patients with tinnitus: A comparative study

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common form of hearing damage characterized by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, resulting in communication difficulties. Treatment of SNHL is difficult for many reasons. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of intra-tympanic platelet-rich plasma versus conventional management through intra-tympanic steroid in patients with tinnitus. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental study and carried out at Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January-2025 to January 2026. A total of 50 patients with subjective complaints of tinnitus were included. They were divided into Group A (intra-tympanic platelet-rich plasma) and Group B (intra-tympanic steroid). The effectiveness of each intervention was assessed and compared between groups. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Median age was 34.5 years (49.0 - 24.0). There were 32 (64.0%) male and 18 (36.0%) female patients. Median duration of tinnitus was 6.5 weeks (10.0 - 5.0). Median pre-treatment THI score was 46.0 (56.0 - 29.0). Median post-treatment THI score at four weeks follow-up visit from the initiation of therapy in Group-A was 8.0 (22.0 - 3.0), while in Group-B it was 9.0 (18.0 - 2.0), statistically insignificant (p = 0.546). Effectiveness in Group-A (n = 25) was 21 (84.0%), while in Group-B (n = 25), it was 14 (56.0%), significant (p = 0.031). Thus, intra-tympanic platelet-rich plasma is significantly more effective for managing tinnitus as compared to the conventional management.