Noise Induced Hearing Loss with Tinnitus: Does TRT Help?

Abstract

Introduction
 To determine if hearing augmentation and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) helps in cases of Tinnitus with Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and does degree of hearing loss, severity or duration of tinnitus affect recovery 
 Materials and Methods
 A prospective study was done on 100 patients of NIHL with tinnitus from Jan 14-Jul 15. Degree of hearing loss was assessed. Tinnitus severity was scored on Tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scale as Slight, Mild, Moderate, severe or catastrophic and patients were subjected to TRT. Patients scored after 1 year of TRT. A relation between tinnitus severity, duration and degree of hearing loss on recovery from tinnitus was analysed.
 Result
 62 of the 100 patients improved following TRT.
 Discussion
 In 100 patients THI scores improved from a mean of 63.12 (SD-21.12) to 38.16 (SD-18.21). Mean difference between pre and post-intervention THI scores was 24.96 (SD-17.97). Improvement was significant in severe or profound hearing loss (P<.001).
 Tinnitus severity was slight, mild, moderate, severe or catastrophic on THI. Following TRT, 82.35% with Catastrophic, 70.96% with severe, 52.63% with moderate, 20% with mild tinnitus improved. 1 patient with slight tinnitus did not improve.
 Based on duration of tinnitus three groups made; 0-6 months, 6-12 months and >12 months. All groups showed improvement. Reduction in Post-TRT THI was significant but did not show any difference among groups.
 Conclusion
 TRT helps in tinnitus with NIHL particularly if hearing loss is severe. Severe or catastrophic tinnitus patients experience greater improvement. Duration of tinnitus has no impact.