Tinnitus Masking Research Articles

Brainwave entrainment using binaural beats stimulation: Exploring the treatment efficacy in individuals with tinnitus having normal hearing sensitivity

ObjectiveThe study aimed to compare the efficacy of brainwave entrainment in the treatment of individuals with tinnitus having normal hearing sensitivity. The effect of binaural beats (BB) stimulation in reducing negative emotions and tinnitus handicap post-three months is explored in this longitudinal study. MethodThe study comprised sixty individuals (four groups) with tinnitus having normal hearing. The outcome measures of BB with beat frequencies falling under delta (4 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and alpha (10 Hz) and a standard tinnitus masker (white noise) were compared with the pre-treatment baseline scores for tinnitus handicap, depression, and stress levels, and quality of life parameters. ResultsAll four groups showed an improvement in tinnitus symptoms and negative emotions. However, the groups that received BB stimulation (I, II, III) showed a remarkable reduction in scores for the tinnitus handicap, depression, and stress levels and an increase in quality-of-life scores for the domains that assessed physical and psychological health when compared to the group IV who received standard tinnitus masker. ConclusionIt was observed that all three broadband (BB) stimuli were equally effective in treating tinnitus handicap symptoms. However, the results cannot be definitively attributed to brainwave entrainment, as they may also reflect the effects of sound therapy. Additionally, the lack of significant differences among the BB frequencies suggests that the benefits may not arise specifically from brainwave entrainment, especially without a comparison to beta frequency BB. This technique should be adopted into clinical practice with generalizability after further research on a randomized sample.

A Study on Outcomes of One-time Tinnitus Masking by External Sound Stimuli for Nonpulsatile Subjective Tinnitus

Abstract Background: Tinnitus has no definitive treatment to date. Sound therapy can be given as tinnitus retraining therapy. Aims and Objectives: Our study is aimed to study the outcomes of a novel one-time tinnitus masking for nonpulsatile subjective tinnitus. Materials and Methods: All patients who presented with tinnitus which is subjective nonpulsatile without any treatable causes of tinnitus are included in the study. Results: Out of 16 patients, tinnitus matching was done by 15 patients, and 13 patients had complete masking of tinnitus with a single time. Eight patients who had more than moderate hearing loss developed recurrence of symptoms on follow-up. Tinnitus Handicap Index pre- and posttreatment with questionnaire showed a significant improvement (P > 0.001) in analysis. Conclusion: The origin of tinnitus central or peripheral is unsettled, as people with normal hearing also had tinnitus and people with hearing loss had recurrence of tinnitus. They were further managed by hearing aids with tinnitus maskers. This method is individual operatable and can be used in apps as self-curing treatment.

The Effectiveness of Hearing Aid and Combined Devices (Hearing Aid+ Tinnitus Masker) in the Management of Tinnitus

The Effectiveness of Hearing Aid and Combined Devices (Hearing Aid+ Tinnitus Masker) in the Management of Tinnitus

A study on impact of tinnitus masking on psychophysical and tinnitus tuning curve in participants with hearing impairment suffering from severe tinnitus

Background: Tinnitus can be treated by using different pedagogies of management approaches in which tinnitus masking has been acclaimed most evidence-based approach. Psychophysical tuning curve and tinnitus tuning curve explored as least interested procedures in tinnitus research. This noteworthy but nonspecific psychophysical domain may throw a light on need of the present research. Aim of the study was to find out the effect of tinnitus masking on Psychophysical tuning curve and tinnitus tuning curve. Method: A total of 30 native Bengali speaking participants were included in this study, having mean age of 45.9 years and SD was 6.46. All the participants had unilateral subjective tinnitus with Mild to Moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss. Quasi-experimental research design was used. Dual channel audiometer (MAICO MA 53) with supra-aural TDH 39 headphone was used for psychoacoustic measurements of tinnitus (including pitch matching, loudness matching, minimum masking level etc.) and to provide tinnitus masking therapy. MATLAB version 9.5 was used to develop noise to assess PTC and TTC using Sennheiser HD 201 headphone routed through MAICO MA 53 audiometer via stereo jack and cable. Tinnitus masking therapy was carried out for 30 sessions by using regimen of MML +20 dB of masking level for 30 minutes duration for each session with matched pitch. PTC and TTC were measured before and 30 sessions-after tinnitus masking therapy. PTC was measured using 1000 Hz pure tone at 10 dBSLl as reference followed by four narrow band noise with centre frequency of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz pertaining to 312 Hz band width as developed by MATLAB software. TTC was measured using the same noise with reference to matched tinnitus pitch. All the above-mentioned conditions forced choice procedure was carried out in dBHL frame work. Results: Wilcoxon sign rank test was used at 95% confidence level to check the influence of tinnitus masking therapy on PTC and TTC measures. Significant changes were portrayed at 1000 Hz and 4000 Hz respectively in PTC measure and at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz respectively in TTC measures. Conclusion: This study preliminarily provides information regarding influence on tinnitus pitch domains which has been psychoacoustically systematically measured as PTC and TTC. These two psychoacoustic signatures may be treated as prognostic biomarker of tinnitus management in future using replicable research using different methodology or using statistical basis of data mining. At that point conclusive remarks may not throw a clear indication based on the results found in this study.

Effects of tinnitus retraining therapy on patients with tinnitus: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

This review aims to explore the influences of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) on patients with tinnitus. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were screened for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that explored the effects of TRT on patients with tinnitus from inception to June 30, 2024. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was evaluated using the physiotherapy evidence database (PEDro) scale. Fifteen studies met our eligibility criteria. A total of 2069 patients with tinnitus (mean age 52.93years; 66% male) were involved in the present review. The quality of the selected studies ranged from 5 to 8 on the PEDro scale, with a median score of 7. TRT did not provide superior effects in treating patients with tinnitus compared to tinnitus masking (TM), tinnitus educational counselling (TED), TRT with open ear hearing aids, Tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT), partial TRT, usual care, and smart TRT. TRT intervention is considered a treatment option for patients with tinnitus. Combining TRT with other interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, or tDS, may show even greater efficacy. Additional studies are strongly required to recognize the long-term effects of TRT on tinnitus, determine who most likely would benefit from the intervention regarding tinnitus type and severity, and identify the optimal treatment protocol.

Tinnitus treatment: an experimental study

ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of the selected tinnitus management protocols for the experimental groups, based on the scores obtained for psychosocial variables, quality of life and severity of tinnitus between the four experimental groups following the various treatment protocols.MethodTwo-hundred adults ages ranged from 20 to 55 years (mean age 44.14, SD = 6.16) with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss without tinnitus were randomly selected for the control group, whereas the experimental group comprised 200 adults with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss with tinnitus without any other associated medical problems. Participants of both control and experimental groups underwent audiological tests and were administered the QoL questionnaire. The experimental group, in addition, was also administered the PSQ, TSI and THI questionnaire and psychoacoustic tests, i.e. measuring pitch, loudness and MML of tinnitus. Participants of experimental group were randomly assigned to 4 groups, each of 50 participants, and treatment was given as below: Group 1: only tinnitus masking sound was administered, Group 2: only counselling was given, Group 3: masking with counselling was given and Group 4: tinnitus masking combined with counselling and attention diversion task therapy was given.ResultThe patients without tinnitus had significantly better quality of life in comparison to the patients with tinnitus. Pre-post comparisons of the treatment groups revealed that “masking + counselling + attention diversion task” group showed highly significant differences for psychosocial aspects, QoL and severity of tinnitus. Further, pairwise comparison based on differences in mean scores indicated significant impact of “masking + counselling + attention diversion task” as compared to both in combination like “masking + counselling” or independently, i.e. masking or counselling alone.ConclusionIt appears that an integrated package of intervention (masking + counselling + attention diversion task) might be preferable for providing immediate tinnitus relief by masking through reducing tinnitus loudness and pitch by altering neuroplasticity (tonotopicity); in the long term, it reduces tinnitus impact through positive thinking by counselling treatment and also diverts attention to daily activity through attention training.

Tinnitus features and masking in patients with normal hearing and with high frequency hearing loss

To access tinnitus features and effectiveness of its masking in relation to sensorineural hearing loss (SHL), gender, age, affected side and tinnitus pitch. 53 patients (32 (60.4%) females and 21 (39.6%) males) aged 20 to 46 years with unilateral chronic tinnitus without any external or middle ear pathology were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent pure tone audiometry, evaluating SHL, tinnitus pitch and tinnitus masking. Pure-tone thresholds were measured at all standard frequencies from 0.25 to 8 kHz, and at 10 kHz, 12.5 kHz, 14 kHz, 16 kHz, and 20 kHz. Normal hearing at the studied frequencies was observed in 24 patients, and 29 patients were found to have SHL. Patients with high-frequency SHL identified tinnitus pitch more often identified tinnitus pitch compared to those with normal hearing (75.9% vs. 45%, respectively; p=0.02). Tinnitus pitch in patients with normal hearing was 8 (6-13) kHz, whereas in all patients with SHL tinnitus pitch was always located in the range of maximum hearing loss and reached 10 (8-12) kHz. The mean tinnitus pitch, which was successfully masked, was 8 Hz, and tinnitus pitches with mean value above 12 kHz were not associated with effective masking (p=0.04). No statistically significant differences were found between the effectiveness of tinnitus masking and the affected side, gender, presence of SHL. The higher tinnitus pitch (above 12 kHz) was more common in younger patients and was associated with less successful masking. Our study included patients of predominantly young age (up to 48 years old), in whom, probably, the factors influencing the tinnitus characteristic differ and have a correlation with anxiety-depressive spectrum disorders prevailing at a younger age. In this regard, further research is needed.

Personalized music therapy combined with medication as treatment for tinnitus.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of personalized music therapy in combination with medication as a treatment for tinnitus. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 200 patients who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology in our hospital from June 2018 to June 2019, with tinnitus as their primary complaint. Patients were divided into four groups based on their individual treatment methods: medication group (patients received medication only, n=40), tinnitus masking (TM) group (patients received medication plus TM, n=38), tinnitus re-training (TRT) group (patients received medication plus TRT, n=35), and personalized group (patients received medication plus personalized music therapy, n=30). The pure-tone audiometry (PTA), loudness visual analogue scale (VAS), and tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) for each patient were analyzed. There were statistically significant differences in the THI and VAS scores of all groups before and after treatment (p<0.05). Following nine and twelve months of treatment, the THI and VAS scores of the TRT group and the personalized group were significantly lower than those of the other two groups (p<0.05). The THI and VAS scores of the personalized group were significantly lower than those of the TRT group (p<0.05). Additionally, THI and VAS scores were statistically different at various measurement time points in each group (p<0.05). The clinical effective rate (85.37%) of the personalized group was higher than that of the other three groups (p<0.05). TM, TRT, or personalized music therapy, when combined with medication, are effective in treating patients with tinnitus. Among these methods, personalized music therapy may be the superior treatment after nine months of treatment.

Hearing aids with tinnitus sound support reduce tinnitus severity for new and experienced hearing aid users

ObjectiveThis interventional study tested the hypothesis that hearing aids with a tinnitus sound support feature would reduce the impact of tinnitus for both new and experienced hearing aid users over a 12-week trial period.MethodsA total of 19 experienced hearing aid users and 21 participants with no previous hearing aid experience completed the study. Hearing aids were fitted and dispensed with tinnitus masking sounds adjusted to individual preferences. The primary outcome measure was the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) score change between baseline and the end of the 12-week trial. This trial was registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, trial ID: ACTRN12621001754831.ResultsThe TFI scores and secondary measures indicated significant improvements (reductions in tinnitus impact) at the end of the trial compared to the baseline for both experienced and new hearing aid users. Since no group differences were observed, pooled data are presented in this study. The median TFI total score before treatment was 49.0 (IQR = 40.0), and the median TFI total score after treatment was 26.0 (IQR = 26.0). A significant reduction (p = 0.0001) in the total TFI score of 24 points was observed after treatment, producing a large effect size (d = 0.60).ConclusionsThe results confirm previous findings that hearing aids assist in reducing the impact of tinnitus on daily life. The Oticon miniRITE R combination hearing aids used in this study resulted in similar improvements for both new and existing hearing aid users. This suggests that the tinnitus-reducing effects of these aids were greater than those already being used by participants.

Changes in late-latency auditory evoked potentials after tinnitus suppression using auditory stimulation

ObjectiveTinnitus can result from auditory system reorganization due to neural activity dysfunctions. Auditory stimulation can cause temporary or persistent tinnitus alleviation by altering the neural generators. The present study investigated the changes in Late-Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (LLAEPs) after tinnitus suppression using auditory stimulation with short-term Residual Inhibition (RI) and long-term Tinnitus Masker (TM). MethodsThe study included 40 participates with equal numbers in the Tinnitus Group (TG), including the chronic tinnitus subjects, and the Control Group (CG), including matched volunteers. The participants had normal hearing in conventional audiometry. All the participants underwent LLAEP recording pre-intervention and after a one-minute auditory stimulation (RI), as well as a pre-intervention Dichotic Digit Test (DDT) as a behavioral assessment of the selective attention. Moreover, TG underwent a 3-month course of TM, a third LLAEP recording post-TM, a second DDT post-TM, and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) before and after the TM. ResultsIn the baseline LLAEP recording, the TG had significantly later N1, P3a, and P3b latencies, as well as significantly lower P3a and P3b amplitudes. The second LLAEP recording showed a significant intragroup increase in P3a amplitude and a significant decrease in P3a latency in the TG, while no significant intragroup difference was observed in the CG. In the third LLAEP recording performed on TG, the P3a amplitude and latency had significant changes compared to the second recording, while the N1 latency was significantly decreased. Moreover, the DDT and THI scores had significant improvement after the TM in TG. ConclusionsThe present study showed the neurophysiological changes after short-term (RI) and long-term (TM) auditory stimulations in tinnitus subjects. The LLAEP changes suggest that these interventions lead to tinnitus suppression through common mechanisms. The electrophysiological observation was also confirmed using behavioral assessments. Level of evidenceThis study type is a “comparative study” with the level of evidence “3”.

AB211. SOH22ABS077. Intratympanic dexamethasone injection for tinnitus

Background: Tinnitus affects over 60% of people at some stage of their lives and are often short-lived. A small cohort of patients experience intractable debilitating tinnitus, unrelated to hearing loss or vertigo syndromes. Management strategies include tinnitus masking techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy, and more recently, neuromodulation. Intratympanic dexamethasone injection for intractable tinnitus has been described although the evidence for such intervention is not strong.

The effect of caffeine on tinnitus: Randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

To test the hypothesis that caffeine can influence tinnitus, we recruited 80 patients with chronic tinnitus and randomly allocated them into two groups (caffeine and placebo) to analyze the self-perception of tinnitus symptoms after caffeine consumption, assuming that this is an adequate sample for generalization. The participants were randomized into two groups: one group was administered a 300-mg capsule of caffeine, and the other group was given a placebo capsule (cornstarch). A diet that restricted caffeine consumption for 24 hours was implemented. The participants answered questionnaires (the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory-THI, the Visual Analog Scale-VAS, the profile of mood state-POMS) and underwent examinations (tonal and high frequency audiometry, acufenometry (frequency measure; intensity measure and the minimum level of tinnitus masking), transient otoacoustic emissions-TEOAE and distortion product otoacoustic emissions-DPOAE assessments) at two timepoints: at baseline and after capsule ingestion. There was a significant change in mood (measured by the POMS) after caffeine consumption. The THI and VAS scores were improved at the second timepoint in both groups. The audiometry assessment showed a significant difference in some frequencies between baseline and follow-up measurements in both groups, but these differences were not clinically relevant. Similar findings were observed for the amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio in the TEOAE and DPOAE measurements. Caffeine (300 mg) did not significantly alter the psychoacoustic measures, electroacoustic measures or the tinnitus-related degree of discomfort.

Adaptación de la Terapia de Reentrenamiento del Acúfeno (TRT) en la población brasileña

El TRT se está instaurando ampliamente en distintos centros y proporcionando los mejores resultados en el alivio de los pacientes con acúfeno. En Brasil, dos hechos contribuyen a una “resistencia” a este método: la demora a que se empiece a percibir la ‘tan esperada’ mejora y la falta de conocimiento sobre el TRT. Nuestro objetivo es describir la experiencia con el TRT en Brasil, mostrando algunas adaptaciones del método oficial. Revisamos 161 archivos de pacientes con acúfeno que han empezado el TRT. El aná- lisis de los resultados se llevó acabo 12 meses después de la indicación del TRT separando a los pacientes en 3 grupos de acuerdo con la categoría y modo de tratamiento: a) categorías 1, 3 y 4 tratados con ‘sesiones de consejos más generadores de ruido de banda ancha’ (n=38): el acúfeno ha mejorado en el 73,3%; b) categorías 1, 3 y 4 que han rechazado los generadores de ruido y han recibido ‘sesiones de consejos más sonidos ambientales suaves’ (n=74): el acúfeno ha mejorado en el 80%; c) categoría 2 tratados con ‘sesiones de consejos, audífonos y sonidos ambientales suaves’ (n=49): solo 23 han estado de acuerdo en llevar audífonos, sin embargo 16 de ellos han presentado automáticamente enmascaramiento del acúfeno y han sido excluidos del resultado del TRT. En este estudio, los pacientes han demostrado una gran restricción en usar audífonos o generadores de ruido, así que los principios del TRT tuvieron que ser reforzados a través del uso de sonidos ambientales suaves. Aquellos que han seguido el protocolo del TRT han mostrado excelentes tasas de mejora del acúfeno.

Ohrgeräusche zutreffend begutachten: Möglichkeit, Plausibilität und Wahrscheinlichkeit

Tinnitus as a subjective, individual sensation defies objective proof. In the assessment situation, tinnitus must also be distinguished from physiological or spontaneous hearing sensations.With regard to the new German "Königsteiner Recommendation" and the verdicts of the last few years, against the background of the different concepts of causality in the statutory and private accident insurance, a stringent examination to determine whether there is a sufficiently high probability of an accident-related subjective ear noise is necessary in the assessment. In order to create a comprehensible and comparable basis, the proposal of a plausibility check with the recording of 5 criteria - appropriate event, immediacy, reproducibility on the basis of today's examination methods of tinnitus masking and matching, persistence and fixation and the recording with a non-suggestive question was subjected to a review.The review shows that the requirements for the respective standard of proof can be fulfilled with the given steps of proof. The simple possibility of the presence of ringing in the ears can be systematically led to the probability of the presence by means of the plausibility criteria, which include psychoacoustic procedures, as well as open questions. This creates the prerequisites for a comprehensible causal consideration between the event and the reported tinnitus according to current medical-scientific knowledge.

A Comparative Study of Treatment Outcomes of Music Therapy, Tinnitus Maskers and Pharmacotherpy in Chronic Subjective Tinnitus.

Tinnitus represents one of the most common and distressing otologic problems, and it causes various somatic and psychological disorders that interfere with the quality of life. This study aimed to compare the outcome of music therapy, tinnitus maskers and pharmacotherapy on patients with chronic tinnitus, to observe and analyse the etiological factors of tinnitus and to find out whether music can be used as an active listening mode by which tinnitus perception can be decreased. This was a comparative longitudinal study involving 90 patients with chronic tinnitus who were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 30 each: Group A (Music therapy), Group B (Pharmacotherapy) and Group C (Tinnitus masker). After a detailed clinical history and examination, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Visual Analogue Scores were recorded both prior to and following therapy, and patient were followed up monthly up to 2months. There is a significant difference in the mean THI score (p = 0.002) and mean VAS(p = 0.0006) at 2months follow up in patients treated with Music therapy and patients had a satisfactory outcome after music therapy and did not require any further treatment. Patients in pharmacotherapy and hearing aid group had a good clinical improvement but mean THI and mean VAS score was not statically significant. It was also noticed that loud noise exposure and hypertension were main etiological factors in 37.77% and 26% of patients respectively. Music therapy appears to be an effective and cost-efficient mode of therapy for chronic tinnitus and could be suitable for widespread implementation for patients with tinnitus of varying severity. Pharmacotherapy and hearing aid application in the treatment of tinnitus has good outcome in our study but requires long term treatment and follow up.

Use of a Smartphone App for Cochlear Implant Patients With Tinnitus.

Purpose Smartphone apps for tinnitus relief are now emerging; however, research supporting their use and effectiveness is lacking. Research has shown that Tinnitus Therapy sounds intended for individuals with acoustic hearing provide relief to some patients using cochlear implants (CIs) with tinnitus. Here, we evaluated the use and acceptability of a smartphone app to help CI patients with tinnitus. Method Participants completed a laboratory trial (n = 19) and an at-home trial (n = 14) using the ReSound Tinnitus Relief app to evaluate its acceptability and effectiveness in reducing their tinnitus. During the laboratory trial, participants selected a sound that was most acceptable in managing their tinnitus (termed chosen sound). Word recognition scores in quiet were obtained before and after sound therapy. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups for the at-home trial, that is, AB or BA, using (A) the chosen sound for 2 weeks and (B) the study sound (i.e., broadband noise at hearing threshold) for another 2 weeks. Ratings were collected weekly to determine acceptability and effectiveness of the app in reducing tinnitus loudness and annoyance. Results Results indicated that some, but not all, participants found their chosen sound to be acceptable and/or effective in reducing their tinnitus. A majority of the participants rated the chosen sound or the study sound to be acceptable in reducing their tinnitus. Word recognition scores for most participants were not adversely affected using the chosen sound; however, a significant decrease was observed for three participants. All 14 participants had a positive experience with the app during the at-home trial on tests of sound therapy acceptability, effectiveness, and word recognition. Conclusions Sound therapy using a smartphone app can be effective for many tinnitus patients using CIs. Audiologists should recommend a sound and a level for tinnitus masking that do not interfere with speech perception.

Impact of Duration of Residual Inhibition on Tinnitus Masking in Patients with and without Hearing Impairment

Introduction: Residual inhibition (RI) is described as a temporary reduction in the loudness of tinnitus as a result of stimulation from a noise. Aim: This study is aimed to determine the efficacy of durational aspects of tinnitus masking on self-reported tinnitus handicapped measures in patients with and without hearing impairment. Sample Size: Sixty participants were included and divided into two groups – Group A (mean age 44.7, standard deviation [SD] 12.02) included tinnitus participants with normal hearing and Group B (mean age 43.81, SD 12.79) included participants with hearing impairment. Methodology: Audiological evaluation was done after a detailed case history visual analog scale (VAS) and tinnitus handicapped inventory (THI) were used pre- and post-therapy to assess the severity of tinnitus. Tinnitus masking was done at the level MML + 20 dB at matched frequency of the tinnitus. Each group had three subgroups of ten participants for masking duration– 15, 20, and 30 min of RI. The therapy was terminated when the tinnitus disappeared or after 1 month (5 days a week). Statistical analysis was performed using Paired t-test, Independent t-test, and ANOVA. Results: There was a significant difference in the effect of tinnitus masking for pre- and post-data among different masking durations measured in VAS and THI irrespective of hearing status. 30-min masking duration can be used as a standardized norm for tinnitus masking. Conclusion: Thus, the study provides a structured temporal course for providing tinnitus masking.

Manipulation of Hearing Aid Gain and Tinnitus Relief: A Paired Comparison Study.

Objectives:The objective of the study is to compare amplification strategies on tinnitus relief. A repeated measure research design was used to determine the best strategy that provides a significant relief on tinnitus and improvements in speech perception.Methods: We recruited 20 participants in the age range of 30-60 years (mean age = 47.95 years) having mild to moderately severe sloping sensorineural hearing loss with continuous tonal tinnitus. We grouped the participants into mild and severe, based on the scores obtained in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. We evaluated tinnitus pitch and loudness using the adaptive method. Besides, we assessed signal to noise ratio 50 (SNR 50) from each of the programs. We carried out a paired comparison method to determine the best strategy among the 3 in which the maximum preference score was obtained on tinnitus relief by a test hearing aid programmed with 3 programs.Results: Each group of participants significantly preferred the strategy for the gain in hearing aid set at tinnitus pitch on tinnitus. However, there was no significant difference between the SNR 50 scores in the 3 gain settings.Conclusion: An additional gain set at tinnitus pitch after alleviating hearing loss by the prescriptive method was found to be the best strategy for effective masking of tinnitus and that led to tinnitus relief without compromising speech perception.

Changes in Heart Rate Variability Following Acoustic Therapy in Individuals With Tinnitus.

Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate changes in autonomic function, as measured by heart rate variability, in individuals with tinnitus following acoustic therapy implemented using tinnitus maskers presented via hearing aids. Method Twenty-six individuals with tinnitus and hearing impairment completed an 8-week field trial wearing hearing aids providing acoustic therapy via three tinnitus masker options set just below minimum masking level. Tinnitus handicap was measured using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory at baseline (before starting acoustic therapy) and posttreatment (at end of 8-week trial). Resting heart rate and heart rate variability were measured using electrocardiography at baseline and posttreatment. Results There was a significant decrease in tinnitus handicap posttreatment compared to baseline. There was no change in heart rate, but there was a significant increase in heart rate variability posttreatment compared to baseline. Conclusions Acoustic therapy using tinnitus maskers delivered via hearing aids provided tinnitus relief and produced a concurrent increase in heart rate variability, suggesting a decrease in stress. Heart rate variability is a potential biomarker for tracking efficacy of acoustic therapy; however, further research is required.

Impact of Tinnitus Masking on Auditory Brainstem Response Results

Tinnitus- the perception of sound without external stimulation can also lead to disruption in the quality of life and has been over the years been benefitted by tinnitus masking. Hence this study to understand the effectiveness of tinnitus masking using the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test. The intention of this experimental research design is to determine whether tinnitus masking as treatment for tinnitus makes a significant difference in auditory evoked brainstem responses before and after masking for understanding the effectiveness of the treatment objectively and possible quantification of benefit measurement through ABR. 30 subjects with normal hearing and unilateral tinnitus were assessed using ABR before and after tinnitus masking. Data was collected and compared to evaluate pre-masking and post-masking values of Latency-Intensity function and Interpeak Latency differences. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, test of homogeneity of variances and Two-way ANOVA. Both latency-intensity functions and interpeak latency differences showed significant differences before and after tinnitus masking with significance values of Two-way ANOVA as .001, (Calculated at p < .05). Despite the patient's subjective feedback, objective proof of the patient's benefit is a necessity. Therefore, this study shows that ABR shows significant differences in patients treated with tinnitus masking. Further suggesting benefit quantification of tinnitus masking as a treatment to tinnitus suffering individuals and for further understanding the intricacies of changes in the central auditory pathway due to masking.