A Study of Muscular Objective Tinnitus Caused by the Eustachian Tube

Abstract Objective tinnitus that originates in muscles can be heard by others as well the patient. Although there have been many reports of objective tinnitus, each report has limited to a small number cases varied from one another, with some being accompanied such findings voluntary and/or involuntary movement soft palate and eardrum, blinking, etiology remained unclear. We analyzed 16 synchronous opening closing eustachian tube. The movements eardrum were consistent previous reports. included 11 patulous tube 10 them patient induced prevent symptoms These patients created an opportunity close repeating closing. sound became tinnitus. was only seven involuntarily nine cases; tentatively diagnosed middle ear myoclonus another pharyngolaryngeal myoclonus. Patulous first described causes speculated initially voluntary, but involuntarily. If this is seen at time examination, it may Psychological factors involved transitions involuntary, further research will necessary assess possibility.