To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of conservative (non-surgical) interventions for functional middle ear disorders (FMEDs), including tinnitus, auditory tube dysfunction, middle ear myoclonus, and related functional auditory syndromes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched through June 21, 2025, using PRISMA 2020 guidelines. REVIEW
This systematic review may support structured decision-making for conservative management of functional middle ear disorders including tinnitus, but the narrative synthesis limits definitive evidence grading; no immediate protocol change is warranted without reading the full framework.
A standardized clinical framework for conservative middle ear disorder management could reduce practice variability and improve patient outcomes across audiology and ENT settings.
- 01Systematic review with narrative synthesis of conservative interventions for functional middle ear disorders.
- 02Tinnitus is included as one of the target conditions.
- 03A conceptual clinical framework is proposed to guide treatment selection.
- 04Published in European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (DOI: 10.1007/s00405-026-10360-3).
- 05Narrative synthesis design limits strength of evidence compared to meta-analysis.
Conservative interventions are efficacious for functional middle ear disorders including tinnitus.
studypartially supportedA conceptual clinical framework can be proposed to guide conservative management of functional middle ear disorders.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42223612
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00405-026-10360-3.
- Journal
- European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 2a
- Population
- Patients with functional middle ear disorders including tinnitus
- Intervention
- Conservative (non-surgical) interventions for functional middle ear disorders
Primary outcomes
Efficacy of conservative interventions; Safety of conservative interventions