Hyperacusis after tympanoplasty

A case of hyperacusis after tympanoplasty is presented. A 62-year-old woman experienced unilateral conductive hearing loss for about 60 years after an trotomy in infancy. Neurological or otoneurological symptoms were not evide nt. Tympanotomy showed a missing incus with discontinuity of the chain. Rec onstruction was performed by interposition of a partial ossicular replaceme nt prosthesis (PORP). The postoperative audiogram revealed minimal percepti ve hearing loss in the high-frequency field in the operated ear. Several weeks after middle ear surgery, the patient complained of hyperacus is on the operated side, which persisted for more than 2 years. To alleviat e the un pleasant sensations,an ear plug was used by the patient. In spite of the asymmetric hearing loss, no late onset auditory deprivation could be diagnosed. The pathophysiological causes of the hyperacusis have not yet b een clarified. Possible reasons are discussed.