Altered ABR Waveform Patterns in Tinnitus Patients With Normal Full-Frequency Hearing May Be Induced by Abnormal Middle Ear Muscle Activity Via the Trigeminal Nerve System

< .05), with median differences (95% CI) of 0.08 (0.04-0.11), 0.07 (0.00-0.12), and 0.15 (0.09-0.20), respectively. In addition, the interpeak latency between waves III and V was also prolonged, with a median difference of 0.08 (95% CI: 0.03-0.13).ConclusionTinnitus patients with normal full-frequency hearing exhibit differences in the ABR waves, which may be associated with abnormal middle ear muscle activity. Emotional responses may trigger abnormal middle ear muscle activity via the serotonin system, which in turn affects auditory signal transmission through the trigeminal system, leading to tinnitus and abnormal ABR wave patterns.RelevanceFuture research will focus on the middle ear muscles as a potential breakthrough point, exploring the relationship between abnormal electrical activity in these muscles and tinnitus, as well as the electrical activity of the trigeminal nerve nuclei.Level of Evidence3.