Proficiency of virtual follow-up amongst tinnitus patients who underwent intratympanic steroid therapy amidst COVID 19 pandemic

Vijayasundaram, S.; Karthikeyan, Padmanabhan; Mehta, Shashwat Datt

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of virtual follow-up in patients who have undergone intratympanic steroid injection for treatment of tinnitus during COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty-five patients having long-term tinnitus undergoing intratympanic steroid course, were followed up virtually via video calling & telephonic methods and evaluated using Tinnitus handicap inventory scoring over the period of 68 days. RESULTS: 20 out of 25 patients expressed improvement from symptoms (80%) and 5 of the remaining (20%) showed no improvement. However, most of them were inarguably satisfied with this virtual method of follow up and had no reservation in following the similar method of observation in future. CONCLUSION: Virtual follow-up using video calling applications and telephonic call is an efficacious, cost effective and user-friendly method, which can provide accurate post procedural observation while keeping in account the nationwide lockdown during COVID 19 pandemic.