Tinnitus Relief Research Articles

Effectiveness of Counseling and Sound Therapies, Including Mobile Applications and Quran Therapy, in Managing Subjective Tinnitus: randomized controlled trial study

Introduction: Subjective tinnitus, the perception of sound without an external source, affects approximately 15% of the global population. Despite its non-life-threatening nature, tinnitus significantly impacts the quality of life, causing distress, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Objectives: This study assesses the effectiveness of counseling therapy combined with two sound therapy modalities; mobile applications and Quran therapy in managing tinnitus symptoms. Methods: This randomized controlled trial study involved 270 participants with subjective tinnitus, recruited from a medical center and a private audiology clinic in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving counseling therapy and sound therapy via mobile applications (ReSound Tinnitus Relief and Beltone Tinnitus Calmer), and the other receiving counseling therapy combined with Quran therapy (Quranic recitation in Maqam Al-Bayati style). Tinnitus severity and its impact on quality of life were measured using the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (TPFQ-CK) and the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ-CK) before and six months after the intervention. Results: Both therapy groups showed significant improvements in tinnitus severity and quality of life. The TPFQ-CK total scores decreased from 38.18 to 14.99 in the Quran therapy group and from 38.34 to 17.82 in the mobile application group. The THQ-CK total scores decreased from 43.46 to 22.99 in the Quran therapy group and from 43.74 to 25.25 in the mobile application group. Significant reductions were also observed in tinnitus annoyance and loudness levels. Conclusions: Counseling therapy combined with sound therapy, whether through mobile applications or Quranic recitation, effectively reduces tinnitus severity and improves the quality of life for individuals with subjective tinnitus. Quran therapy, leveraging spiritual and cultural practices, showed a slight edge in effectiveness over mobile applications, suggesting that culturally relevant and accessible sound therapy options can enhance tinnitus management.

Intratympanic Lidocaine as a Potent Remedy for Tinnitus in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study evaluates intratympanic lidocaine's efficacy and safety for tinnitus relief in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 100 SSNHL patients with unilateral tinnitus received either intratympanic lidocaine or saline plus usual care. Treatment impact was assessed at 1 and 3 months using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, subjective visual analog scale, pure-tone audiometry. The lidocaine group demonstrated significant tinnitus relief according to the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and visual analog scale, without pure-tone audiometry improvement or serious adverse events throughout the study period. Intratympanic lidocaine provides a safe, efficacious treatment option for SSNHL tinnitus. Further studies should refine the dosage and delivery parameters because of SSNHL's heterogenous nature.

Effectiveness of Computer-Mediated Educational Counseling for Tinnitus Relief: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Counseling can help alleviate tinnitus-caused emotional distress and correct misconceptions, making it an effective rehabilitation option for people with tinnitus. Advances in communication technology have increased the demand for computer-mediated tinnitus counseling; however, the effectiveness of such counseling in reducing tinnitus is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to determine the tinnitus-relieving effects of computer-mediated counseling. Thirty-six participants with tinnitus were randomly assigned to online counseling (15 participants) or video-based counseling (21 participants) groups, defining how remote counseling was conducted. Tinnitus counseling, comprising 100 items, lasted 2 weeks and was separated into six sessions for the online counseling group and 8-9 items daily for 12 days for the video-based counseling group. The effectiveness of counseling was determined based on score changes between baseline and 2-week follow-up using the Korean version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire and Visual Analog Scales for annoyance and loudness. While no significant improvements were observed in other domains, average emotional aspect-related scores showed significant improvements in both groups. Regarding individual results, four and seven participants in the online and video-based counseling groups reported significant improvements in the emotional domain, respectively. Overall, computer-mediated educational counseling might be a rehabilitation option for individuals with tinnitus.

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.

The Effectiveness of Microcurrent Stimulation Combined with Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Relief: A Preliminary Study.

Various stimulation-based rehabilitation approaches have been proposed to alleviate tinnitus. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a rehabilitation approach that simultaneously provides microcurrent and sound stimulation for tinnitus relief. Twenty-eight participants with chronic sensorineural tinnitus were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on the rehabilitation approaches (sound therapy-only group and combined microcurrent and sound therapy group). Each participant underwent sound therapy or simultaneous stimulation for approximately 2 h daily for 3 months. The effectiveness of the rehabilitation approaches was determined based on changes in the Korean version of the tinnitus primary function questionnaire (K-TPFQ) and visual analog scale for loudness (VAS-L) scores at baseline, 1.5 months, and 3 months. For the K-TPFQ scores, both groups exhibited a large effect of rehabilitation; however, for the VAS-L scores, the simultaneous stimulation group demonstrated a large effect of rehabilitation, whereas the sound therapy group exhibited a small effect. Therefore, a rehabilitation approach that combines sound stimulation with microcurrent stimulation can improve response and perception in tinnitus.

Mit Apps gegen den Tinnitus? Ein systematisches Review zu Qualität, Interventionselementen und Techniken der Verhaltensänderung

ZusammenfassungHintergrundÜber App-Stores werden Applikationen (Apps) für Tinnitusbetroffene angeboten und versprechen schnelle Hilfe gegen die Ohrgeräusche. Für Betroffene und Behandelnde ist es jedoch gleichermaßen schwierig, deren Qualität, Potenziale oder Risiken einzuschätzen. Ziel dieser Studie war es, eine Übersicht zu deutschsprachigen Tinnitus-Apps zu erstellen und damit eine Orientierung für Forschung und Versorgung zu geben.MethodenEs wurde eine systematische Recherche (November 2020–April 2021) in den umsatzstärksten Stores (Google Play Store und Apple App Store) durchgeführt. Spezifisch für Tinnitus entwickelte Apps wurden von unabhängigen Wissenschaftlerinnen multiperspektivisch bewertet: (a) ein Qualitäts-Screening erfolgte anhand der deutschen Version der Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS-G), (b) Interventionselemente wurden mittels neu entwickelten Kategoriensystems und (c) implementierte Strategien für aktives Tinnitus-Management anhand von Techniken der Verhaltensänderung (Behavior Change Techniques, BCTs) analysiert.ErgebnisseDie Suche ergab 1073 Apps, wobei 21 Apps in die Analyse eingingen. Die Apps wiesen nach MARS‑G eine mittlere Qualität auf (M = 3,37; SD = 0,39). Die meisten Apps boten Geräusche (n = 18) und Informationen (n = 9) an oder erfassten Charakteristika des Tinnitus (n = 13). 24 der 93 BCTs wurden mindestens einmal identifiziert. Nur eine App wurde in nicht-randomisierten Studien evaluiert.DiskussionWenngleich eine Vielzahl von Apps vorliegt, fokussiert die Mehrzahl auf wenige Elemente (z. B. Geräusche und Informationen). Das Potenzial, über die Apps wichtige, evidenzbasierte Inhalte zur Tinnitusbewältigung zu vermitteln, wird damit nicht ausgeschöpft. Die multiperspektivische Evaluation zeigt Verbesserungspotenzial für Tinnitus-Apps auf.

Tinnitus Relief Effect According to the Stimulus Listening Method of Sound Therapy

Purpose: This study investigated the tinnitus relief effect of the stimulation listening method in sound therapy. Methods: The participants were randomly divided into two groups: 16 in the continuous listening group and 15 in the intermittent listening group. The participants listened to broad-band noise at the mixing point level for 3 months, either continuously for 2 hours or intermittently 4 hours for 30 minutes, depending on the group allocation. The results of this study were confirmed by measuring scores through the Korean version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (K-TPFQ) and visual analog scale (VAS) for tinnitus loudness and annoyance at pretreatment and at 1, 2, and 3 months follow-ups. Results: Average scores of the K-TPFQ and VAS for tinnitus loudness and annoyance significantly improved with the duration of sound therapy in both the continuous listening and intermittent listening groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, there was no difference between the two groups regarding the stimulation listening method in sound therapy, and no significant interaction effects were confirmed. Conclusion: The method of listening to the sound therapy continuously for 2 hours and the method of listening intermittently for 30 minutes had similar tinnitus relief effects.

The Effectiveness of a Smartphone Application for Tinnitus Relief.

There has been a growing interest in the provision of smartphone- or internet-based tinnitus management. Studies have shown a positive impact of the smartphone applications on tinnitus symptoms. However, research into a relatively long-term effect of these applications on tinnitus relief as well as sound preferences has been sparse. This study explored the potential benefit of a tinnitus application in tinnitus relief over a period of six months. Twenty-two participants with subjective tinnitus were enrolled in the study. Puretone audiometry, tinnitus pitch and loudness matching, stress assessment, and questionnaires were completed at the initial visit and three and six months after the first visit. The participants used the tinnitus application for six months. A significant reduction in subjective tinnitus loudness and annoyance and subjective stress level was observed. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores were also significantly decreased after six months. The participants also reported high satisfaction with the application. Music and environmental sounds were the most preferred sound stimuli. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential benefit of the tinnitus application for tinnitus improvement.

Influence of Bone Conduction Hearing Device Implantation on Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with and without Tinnitus.

(1) Background: Tinnitus, often related to hearing loss, is an addressable public health concern affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to explore the influence of bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA) implantation on HRQoL and hearing disability in patients with hearing loss suffering from tinnitus. (2) Methods: Data were collected from an international hearing implant registry. Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI-3), Spatial and Qualities of Hearing- 49 Questionnaire (SSQ) and self-reported tinnitus burden data for adult patients implanted with a BCHA (n = 42) who provided baseline as well as follow-up data 1-year post-implantation were extracted from the registry. Wilcoxon signed rank tests and paired samples t-tests were used to analyse outcomes data. (3) Results: Patients, with or without tinnitus, demonstrated clinically important mean improvements in HUI-3 multi-attribute utility scores, HUI-3 hearing attribute and SSQ scores. Hearing loss patients with tinnitus presented with a lower HRQoL than patients without tinnitus. (4) Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the importance of hearing rehabilitation in improving the quality of life and hearing disability of patients with or without tinnitus and in providing tinnitus relief in some patients with hearing loss and tinnitus.

Hearing Aids Combined With Educational Counseling Versus Educational Counseling Alone for Tinnitus Treatment in Patients With Hearing Loss: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study.

The effect of hearing aids (HAs) and educational counseling (EC) or their combination on tinnitus is ambiguous. This study aimed to investigate whether the combined use of HAs and EC is more effective than EC alone on tinnitus relief. A total of 72 adults with chronic, bothersome tinnitus and coexisting sensorineural hearing loss completed at least 1-month and 3-month follow-up. After receiving EC and HA prescriptions, 21 participants selected to purchase HAs (i.e., the HA + EC group), whereas the remaining 51 refused to use HAs despite recommendations (i.e., the EC group). Tinnitus severity was measured by Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Tinnitus Evaluation Questionnaire (TEQ), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for loudness. The primary outcome measure was THI, and tinnitus relief was defined as a 20-point or more reduction in THI. A generalized linear mixed model was used to confirm that the heterogeneity in baseline characteristics between groups did not interfere with the results. The THI, TEQ, and VAS scores decreased significantly after treatments, and both groups yielded a similar trend of reduction. There were no significant differences in the incidence of tinnitus relief and time-to-event curves between the two groups. In addition, the length of follow-up did not affect treatment effectiveness. There was insufficient evidence to support the superiority of the combined use of HA and EC for tinnitus over EC with no device.

Pulsed Radiofrequency of the Auriculotemporal Nerve to Reduce the Intensity of Tinnitus.

Stimulation of the nonauditory nervous systems via the trigeminal nerve pathways can be a promising intervention for patients with tinnitus refractory to medical, conservative, and other treatment options. Therapy of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve through the auriculotemporal nerve has been reported as useful for patients with tinnitus. The objective of our study was to study the long-term effects of pulsed radiofrequency of the auriculotemporal nerve in a large group of tinnitus sufferers and to find predictors for a prosperous result. A monocenter backward-looking group study. In a two-year period, 67 tinnitus patients had pulsed radiofrequency of the auriculotemporal nerve. Twentythree (35%) reported reduced tinnitus loudness at the 7-week post-treatment follow-up. These patients valued the improvements as: 61% good, 22% moderate, and 17% slight. In 3% of patients, tinnitus magnified after the treatment. The odds of permanent tinnitus relief after successful pulsed radiofrequency of the auriculotemporal nerve are 68% at 1 year postoperative. In tinnitus patients without cervical pain 62% had an improvement following pulsed radiofrequency of the auriculotemporal nerve compared to 28% in those not fulfilling this criterion (p=0.024). Neuromodulation of the auriculotemporal nerve is an uncomplicated remedy for tinnitus. In a select group of tinnitus patients this treatment can a good relief of their tinnitus for a long period. Especially, tinnitus sufferers without cervical pain will benefit of this therapy.

Endolymphatic sac decompression effect on secondary symptoms of Meniere's disease

ObjectiveTo evaluate if endolymphatic sac decompression (ESD) significantly improves secondary symptoms of Meniere's disease including tinnitus and aural fullness. Study designSurvey study with retrospective chart review. SettingTertiary care center. MethodsSurvey of adult patients with Meniere's disease that underwent primary ESD surgery from 2015 to 2020. Subjective reporting of pre- and postoperative aural fullness and tinnitus based on postoperative survey. Survey results and audiologic data of the patients that reported were compared pre- and postoperatively. ResultsStatistical analysis was performed using weighted kappa statistics to examine the level of agreement. There was a value of 0.12 for pre- and postoperative aural fullness, indicating a difference in the two groups with 77 % having improvement and only 4 % having worsening. There was a value of 0.21 for pre- and postoperative tinnitus, demonstrating a lack of agreement with 58 % having improvement and 4 % having worsening. Overall, there was significant improvement in both tinnitus and aural fullness postoperatively. There was no significant difference in word recognition score, speech reception threshold, or pure tone average between the pre- and postoperative group based on paired t-test. ConclusionsThere is a significant improvement in both aural fullness and tinnitus for patients undergoing ESD with no negative effect on audiologic status. ESD is a viable option for treatment of Meniere's disease with vertigo, aural fullness, and tinnitus relief. Future prospective studies are needed to further improve the evidence of ESD's effect on secondary symptoms of Meniere's disease.

The Impact of Daily Hours of Sound Therapy on Tinnitus Relief for People With Chronic Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sounds in the absence of extrinsic sound stimuli. Sound therapy is an option for tinnitus rehabilitation, which aims to mitigate the functional and emotional effects of tinnitus. Several studies have reported that a longer duration of sound therapy may result in a greater tinnitus relief effect. However, the relationship between the daily hours of sound therapy and the tinnitus relief effect remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the tinnitus relief effect according to the time spent in daily performing sound therapy. Fifty-eight chronic tinnitus participants were randomly assigned to three groups according to their daily hours of sound therapy (1-hr, 3-hr, and 5-hr groups), and mixing point-based sound therapy, which adjusts the volume of the external stimulus to blend with the participant's tinnitus sound, was administered for 3 months. The effectiveness of sound therapy was determined based on changes in the tinnitus loudness level, visual analog scale for loudness score, and the Korean version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (K-TPFQ) score between the baseline and 3-month time points. Longer daily sound therapy hours were associated to a greater effect of sound therapy in the tinnitus loudness level and the total K-TPFQ scores, including the emotion and hearing subcategories. Particularly, the 3-hr and 5-hr groups showed a greater tinnitus relief than the 1-hr group. An increase in the daily sound therapy hours may increase the possibility of improving tinnitus relief effects.

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Smartphone App for Tinnitus Relief Using Behavioral and Brain Imaging Measures.

In this exploratory, open-label study, we used behavioral and brain imaging measures to assess the effectiveness of a smartphone application (ReSound Relief app), which aims to help reduce tinnitus-related distress. Fourteen participants with a wide range of tinnitus-related symptoms and who were not currently undergoing any external treatment participated. They completed the 6-month study and reported different levels of engagement with the app. Across a range of tinnitus questionnaires, most participants showed either no change or decrease in tinnitus handicap. Resting-state and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected at baseline and the end of the study. Resting-state fMRI of 12 participants revealed alterations in interregional connectivity of default mode, salience, emotion, auditory, and visual processing networks at the end of the intervention period compared to baseline. Ratings of affective sounds (as pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant) were assessed using fMRI, and comparison after 6 months of app usage revealed reduced activity in the left superior temporal gyrus (secondary auditory cortex), right superior occipital gyrus, and left posterior cingulate cortex. Our findings were not significant at a false discovery rate level of p < .05. The reported changes were not significant, possibly due to the small sample size, heterogeneity of the tinnitus handicap among subjects at the start of the project, and the length of the intervention period. Nevertheless, this study underscores the ease of usage of the app and the potential use of brain imaging to assess changes due to a passive, self-administered intervention for individuals with varying levels of tinnitus severity.

Using Extracochlear Multichannel Electrical Stimulation to Relieve Tinnitus and Reverse Tinnitus-Related Auditory-Somatosensory Plasticity in the Cochlear Nucleus

ObjectivesTinnitus has no reliable cure but may be significantly relieved by the usage of cochlear implants. However, not all tinnitus patients necessitate cochlear implantation that can impair hearing. This study was to investigate whether a novel extracochlear electrical stimulation (EES) strategy could relieve tinnitus of guinea pigs without hearing impairment, and the roles of auditory-somatosensory plasticity in the cochlear nucleus in the tinnitus relief. Materials and MethodsWe used a novel four-electrode extracochlear implant to electrically stimulate the cochlea of tinnitus guinea pigs. Tinnitus was assessed by the gap-prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (GPIAS) ratios and the tinnitus index. The plasticity of auditory and somatosensory innervation in the different subdivisions of cochlear nucleus was evaluated by immunostaining of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) and VGLUT2, respectively. ResultsThe EES induced significant decreases of GPIAS ratios and the tinnitus index of tinnitus guinea pigs, indicating reductions of tinnitus behavioral manifestations. Meanwhile, the EES reversed the abnormal auditory-somatosensory innervation in the cochlear nucleus of tinnitus animals but did not change the hearing and the numbers of inner hair cell synapses. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the novel EES strategy could effectively relieve tinnitus without impairment to hearing and cochlear structure of tinnitus animals. The reversal of tinnitus-related auditory-somatosensory plasticity in the cochlear nucleus was correlated with the tinnitus relief induced by the EES.

Random Forest Classification to Predict Response to High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Tinnitus Relief: A Preliminary Feasibility Study.

Objectives:Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has been hypothesized to reduce tinnitus severity by modifying cortical activity in brain regions associated with the perception of tinnitus. However, individual response to tDCS has proven to be variable. We investigated the feasibility of using random forest classification to predict the response to high-definition (HD) tDCS for tinnitus relief.Design:A retrospective analysis was performed on a dataset consisting of 99 patients with subjective tinnitus receiving six consecutive sessions of HD-tDCS at the Antwerp University Hospital. A baseline assessment consisted of pure-tone audiometry and a set of questionnaires including the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Random forest classification was applied to predict, based on baseline questionnaire scores and hearing levels, whether each individual responded positively to the treatment (defined as a decrease of at least 13 points on the TFI). Further testing of the model was performed on an independent cohort of 32 patients obtained from the tinnitus center at the University of Regensburg.Results:Twenty-four participants responded positively to the HD-tDCS treatment. The random forest classifier predicted treatment response with an accuracy of 85.71% (100% sensitivity, 81.48% specificity), significantly outperforming a more traditional logistic regression approach. Performance of the classifier on an independent cohort was slightly but not significantly above chance level (71.88% accuracy, 66.67% sensitivity, 73.08% specificity). Feature importance analyses revealed that baseline tinnitus severity, co-occurrence of depressive symptoms and handedness were the most important predictors of treatment response. Baseline TFI scores were significantly higher in responders than in nonresponders.Conclusions:The proposed random forest classifier predicted treatment response with a high accuracy, significantly outperforming a more traditional statistical approach. Machine learning methods to predict treatment response might ultimately be used in a clinical setting to guide targeted treatment recommendations for individual tinnitus patients.

Hearing aid effectiveness on patients with chronic tinnitus and associated hearing loss

ObjectiveOur study aimed to measure the effectiveness of using HA in reducing the disturbance caused by tinnitus. MethodsStudy was designed as a within-subjects clinical trial. Nineteen patients with chronic tinnitus and untreated sensorineural hearing loss were under counseling, HA fitting and 6 months follow-up. Tinnitus assessment was performed with Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pitch and loudness matching, and Minimum Masking Level measurements (MML). Resultsfollowing 6 months of HA use, a reduction in reported tinnitus and hearing handicap scales scores was observed both statistically and clinically. The pitch and loudness matching, as well as MML at the baseline and final evaluation were compared. MML’s thresholds reduced significantly after 6 months of HA use. ConclusionOur study has provided evidence that HA fitting is a valuable treatment strategy for chronic tinnitus relief and associated hearing loss subtype of patient. Level of evidence3.

Tinnitus suppression with electrical stimulation in adults: long-term follow-up.

SUMMARYObjectivesTo investigate the long-term effects of cochlear implants as a treatment for patients with severe to profound neurosensory loss associated with severe tinnitus.MethodsProspective study in 17 adult patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss associated with severe tinnitus, indicated with a Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score ≥ 58%, and hyperacusis. Measures were made on hearing, tinnitus, hyperacusis and quality of life up to 5 years after activation of the sound processor of the cochlear implant. It was evaluated by using the disyllabic test, THI, visual analogue scale and Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire.Results60 months after cochlear implantation, improvements in loudness and discomfort of tinnitus, speech discrimination and hyperacusis were observed. Subjects perceive an important subjective benefit upon receiving the cochlear implant.ConclusionsCochlear implants can be used as treatment for patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss associated with severe tinnitus and hyperacusis with long-term benefits on quality of life and lasting relief of tinnitus.

Amplification Strategies to Reduce Tinnitus: A Paired Comparison Method.

Background : The study investigates the best amplification strategy that provides tinnitus relief in a quiet environment, for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss with bothersome tinnitus.Methods: The repeated measures research design was utilized. Twenty participants (age range 25 years to 65 years; mean: 48.28 years) with bilateral symmetrical sloping sensorineural hearing loss with bothersome unilateral tinnitus were recruited. They were sub-grouped into low- and high-pitched tinnitus groups. A preference score was obtained for each of the strategies in hearing aid fitting, using the paired comparison method. The 4 strategies used were the desired sensation level (input/output) and the National Acoustic Laboratories’ nonlinear fitting method (version 1), at each of the low (30 dB SPL) and high (50 dB SPL) compression thresholds. Besides, the severity of tinnitus was assessed using the tinnitus severity index before and after 1 month of using the hearing aid in the best-selected strategy. Results: A repeated-measure ANOVA revealed no significant effect of the group on the preference score but was significant for strategies on relief from tinnitus. The desired sensation level (input/output) at a low compression threshold was the best strategy for alleviating tinnitus. Thirty-five percent of the study participants preferred the desired sensation level (input/output) strategy at low and high compression threshold, respectively. The remaining 25% preferred the National Acoustic Laboratories’ nonlinear hearing aid (version 1) at low compression threshold, and 5% selected the same device at high compression threshold. Furthermore, a significant association was observed in the severity of tinnitus before and after the hearing aid fitting set at the preferred program. Conclusion: The desired sensation level (input/output) method at the low compression threshold is the best program to alleviate bothersome tinnitus.

A Study of the Effect of Sound Therapy in People with Mild Tinnitus

Purpose: Tinnitus refers to the maladaptive perception of sound in the absence of external sounds. Sound therapy is a representative rehabilitation option that has been used to relieve the adverse effects of tinnitus. It helps to reduce the discomfort caused by tinnitus by providing various external background noises to those suffering from tinnitus. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of sound therapy on tinnitus relief in people with mild tinnitus.Methods: Twelve participants with mild tinnitus participated in this study. Sound therapy was performed for 3 months using a customized mobile phone application. Broadband noise was used as the sound therapy stimulus. The level of stimulus was set to the level of the mixing point. The Korean version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (K-TPFQ) score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, and tinnitus loudness level were recorded as outcome measurements at baseline and 3 months.Results: There were no significant differences in the K-TPFQ and VAS scores and tinnitus loudness level between the baseline and 3-month follow-up session.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that sound therapy alone for 3 months does not provide significant tinnitus relief in participants with mild tinnitus. Therefore, considering only sound therapy for rehabilitation in people with mild tinnitus might not be ideal for providing relief.