Tinnitus Severity Research Articles

Association Of Tinnitus With Depression And Anxiety In Hypertensive Patients

Background: Tinnitus is a condition that can be objective or subjective. The form of tinnitus most often associated with psychosocial co-morbidities is subjective tinnitus.Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the association of tinnitus with depression and anxiety in hypertensive patients.Methodology: It was cross sectional study. A total of 159 (100) % patients with hypertension were screened for presence of tinnitus in medical outpatient department of district headquarter hospital Vehari from July 2020 to March 2021. All of them were asked to complete a standardized Tinnitus handicap inventory questionnaire (THI) to assess severity of tinnitus followed by otoscopy. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Beck depression and anxiety inventories.Results: Tinnitus is strongly linked to anxiety and depression, according to the findings.Conclusions: All tinnitus patients should be screened for mental illness because of the strong connection between tinnitus, depression, and anxiety. These complex disorders should be handled by a multidisciplinary team that includes cognitive behavioral treatment and likely pharmacological therapy.

Self-Reported Tinnitus Severity Prior to and During the COVID-19 Lockdown in the United Kingdom.

The aim of this study was to assess whether the severity of tinnitus, as measured using ratings of tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and effect on life, was influenced by the lockdown related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This was a retrospective study. The data for 105 consecutive patients who were seen at a tinnitus clinic in an audiology department in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 lockdown between April and June 2020 and 123 patients seen in the same period of the previous year, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic were included. Demographic data for the patients, results of their pure-tone audiometry, and their score on visual analog scale (VAS) of tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and effect on life were imported from their records held at the audiology department. This was a retrospective survey comparing ratings on the VAS of tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and effect on life for consecutive patients seen during the COVID-19 lockdown and consecutive patients seen in the same period of the previous year, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients seen prior to lockdown used a pen and paper version of the VAS, while the patients who were assessed during the COVID-19 lockdown used an adapted version of the VAS, via telephone. All patients were seeking help for their tinnitus for the first time. The mean scores for tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and effect on life did not differ significantly for the groups seen prior to and during lockdown. Any changes in psychological well-being or stress produced by the lockdown did not significantly affect ratings of the severity of tinnitus.

Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus in Spanish: a global feasibility trial

Objective Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for tinnitus is an evidence-based intervention, but only available in a few languages. To increase accessibility, ICBT was translated into Spanish. This study’s objective was to determine the feasibility of ICBT for Spanish speakers. Design A single-group pre-test post-test design was used. Compliance, engagement, acceptance and outcome feasibility were measured. Study Sample Forty-six Spanish speakers with tinnitus were screened. There were 32 participants meeting the eligibility criteria, with a mean age of 47 (±11) years. Of these 91% were Hispanic or Latino with 66% living in Spain and 34% living in South America. Results Outcome feasibility was established, as a large pre- and post-test within-group effect size of d = 0.90 was found for tinnitus severity. Large pre- and post-test effect sizes were also present for the secondary outcomes of anxiety and depression with a medium effect for insomnia, health-related quality of life, and tinnitus cognitions. Intervention engagement and compliance were not optimal although no participants withdrew. Intervention acceptance rates indicated scope for improvement. Conclusions ICBT for Spanish communities appears to be feasible. A randomised controlled trial is required to further investigate the effects and identify ways of improving engagement and attracting Spanish speakers from different countries.

Audiologist-Supported Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus in the United States: A Pilot Trial.

Background Patients often report that living with a condition such as tinnitus can be debilitating, worrying, and frustrating. Efficient ways to foster management strategies for individuals with tinnitus and promoting tinnitus self-efficacy are needed. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for tinnitus shows promise as an evidence-based intervention in Europe, but is not available in the United States. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of an ICBT intervention for tinnitus in the United States. Method This study reports the Phase 1 trial intended to support implementation of a larger randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing ICBT to a weekly monitoring group. As a pilot study, a single-group pretest-posttest design was used to determine outcome potential, recruitment strategy, retention, and adherence rates of ICBT for tinnitus. The primary outcome was a change in tinnitus distress. Secondary outcome measures included measures of anxiety, depression, insomnia, tinnitus cognitions, hearing-related difficulties, and quality of life. Results Of the 42 screened participants, nine did not meet the inclusion criteria and six withdrew. There were 27 participants who completed the intervention, with a mean age of 55.48 (± 9.9) years. Feasibility was established, as a large pretest-posttest effect size of d=1.6 was found for tinnitus severity. Large pretest-posttest effect sizes were also found for tinnitus cognitions and hearing-related effects, and a medium effect was found for insomnia and quality of life. Treatment adherence varied with a retention rate of 85% (n=23) at post-intervention assessment and 67% (n=18) for the follow-up assessment. Conclusions This pilot study supported the feasibility of ICBT for tinnitus in the United States. Ways of improving intervention retention and recruitment rates need to be explored in future ICBT studies. Protocol refinements that were identified will be implemented prior to further RCTs to investigate the efficacy of ICBT for tinnitus in the United States. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15501135.

Extended high frequency hearing loss in tinnitus-positive chronic suppurative otitis media patient.

ObjectivesTo determine the association between extended high frequency hearing loss and tinnitus in normal cochlear function based on a conventional audiometry chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) patient.Design and methodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted on 220 ears diagnosed as having CSOM with an equal number of tinnitus and without tinnitus groups. Only those with normal cochlear function based on conventional pure tone audiometry (250 Hz to 8 kHz) were included. They were further tested for hearing at extended high frequencies of up to 16 kHz. The severity of tinnitus was tested using a tinnitus questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of extended high frequency hearing loss in the normal cochlear function CSOM patients with tinnitus was 81.8% (95% CI 74.5%, 89.1%), whereas the prevalence in the tinnitus negative group was 30.0% (95% CI 21.3%, 38.7%). There was a significant association between extended high frequency hearing loss and tinnitus in CSOM patients (P < .001). The average thresholds were significantly higher in the tinnitus group at all extended high frequencies tested with an increasing trend of significance toward the higher frequencies. However, this study did not observe any association between the severity of tinnitus and extended high frequency hearing loss.ConclusionThe development of tinnitus among normal cochlear function CSOM patients indicates that the damage has occurred at a higher frequency level. However, the severity of tinnitus does not predict the degree of higher frequency hearing loss. Therefore, the presence of tinnitus warrants more aggressive monitoring and treatment to prevent sensorineural hearing loss from developing into the speech frequencies.Level of Evidence4.

Hormone replacement therapy in perimenopausal women with chronic tinnitus

Objective:To explore and analyze the effect and indication of hormone replacement therapy（HRT） in perimenopausal women with chronic tinnitus. Methods:The perimenopausal women with chronic tinnitus were divided into mild group and moderate to severe group according to Kupperman score of menopause, and then were divided into treatment group and untreated group according to whether they received MHT treatment or not. The serum 5-HT level, tinnitus handicap inventory （THI） and Pittsburgh sleep quality index （PSQI） were compared before and after treatment. Results:In moderate to severe perimenopausal tinnitus, the serum 5-HT level, THI and PSQI in the treatment group were statistically different before and after treatment（P<0.05）, and no significant difference was found in the untreated group. In mild perimenopausal tinnitus, there was no significant difference in 5-HT levels, THI and PSQI between the treated group and the untreated group before and after treatment. The 5-HT levels were correlated with THI. The lower the 5-HT level was, the more severe tinnitus was. Conclusion:HRT is helpful in the treatment of perimenopausal chronic tinnitus, especially in moderate to severe perimenopausal patients, and is recommended for clinical use.

German-language versions of the Tinnitus Functional Index : Comparison of the two validated German-language versions of the Tinnitus Functional Index for Switzerland and Germany

HintergrundEs existieren zwei deutschsprachige, validierte Versionen des Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), eine für die Schweiz und eine für Deutschland. Der TFI gilt als möglicher neuer Standard-Fragebogen für die Evaluation eines Tinnitus-Schweregrads und einer Tinnitus-Therapie.Ziel der ArbeitIn Anbetracht der stattfindenden Standardisierung bei der Tinnitus-Evaluation war es unser Ziel, die beiden TFI-Versionen miteinander zu vergleichen und im deutschsprachigem Raum nur eine TFI-Version zu empfehlen.Material und MethodenDie beiden deutschsprachigen TFI-Versionen wurden in einer multizentrischen randomisierten Online-Fragebogenstudie im Cross-over-Design miteinander verglichen.ErgebnisseDie Gesamtscores der beiden TFI-Versionen unterschieden sich in der gesamten Population nicht. Bei weiterer Aufschlüsselung in Bezug auf die Population und Reihenfolge der abgegeben TFI-Versionen zeigten sich allerdings teilweise signifikante Unterschiede mit jedoch nur moderaten Effektstärken. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass sich die beiden Versionen leicht unterscheiden, aber trotzdem miteinander vergleichbar sind. Bei der Faktoranalyse konnten bei der TFI-Version für Deutschland in der gesamten Population wie auch für die schweizerische Population 6 Faktoren extrahiert werden. Hingegen konnten bei der deutschen Population in beiden TFI-Versionen und bei der schweizerischen Population in der schweizerischen TFI-Version nur 5 Faktoren extrahiert werden.SchlussfolgerungDie beiden deutschsprachigen Versionen des TFI sind gut miteinander vergleichbar. Jedoch spricht die Faktoranalyse eher für die Verwendung der TFI-Version für Deutschland im gesamten deutschsprachigen Raum.

Arterial Spin Labeling Cerebral Perfusion Changes in Chronic Tinnitus With Tension-Type Headache.

Purpose: Tinnitus is along with tension-type headache that will influence the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and accelerate the tinnitus severity. However, the potential associations between tension-type headache and tinnitus is still unknown. The current study will explore whether abnormal CBF exists in tinnitus patients and examine the effects of headache on CBF in tinnitus patients.Materials and Methods: Resting-state perfusion magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 40 chronic tinnitus patients and 50 healthy controls using pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling. Regions with CBF differences between tinnitus patients and healthy controls were investigated. The effects of headache on tinnitus for CBF changes were further explored. Correlation analyses revealed the relationship between CBF values and tinnitus distress as well as CBF values and headache degree.Results: Relative to healthy controls, chronic tinnitus showed decreased CBF, mainly in right superior temporal gyrus (STG), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and left superior frontal gyrus (SFG); the CBF in the right STG and the left MFG was negatively correlated with THQ scores (r = −0.553, p = 0.001; r = −0.399, p = 0.017). We also observed a significant effect of headache on tinnitus for CBF in the right STG. Furthermore, the headache degree was correlated positively with tinnitus distress (r = 0.594, p = 0.020).Conclusion: Decreased CBF in auditory and prefrontal cortex was observed in chronic tinnitus patients. Headache may accelerate CBF reductions in tinnitus, which may form the basis for the neurological mechanism in chronic tinnitus with tension-type headache.

The Potency of Ginkgo Biloba in Treating Tinnitus: A Review

Extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves are used for medicinal purposes for at least 5000 years in China. More recently Ginkgo biloba extracts have been used in Western countries. In the USA, Canada and the UK extracts are widely available as nonprescription food supplements. In France and Germany, a standardized dry leaf extract is registered as a drug and is commonly prescribed for. Several studies have been conducted to measure the usefulness and properties of Ginkgo Biloba in connection with the treatment of Tinnitus. This literature review aims to identify the components and the mechanism of action of Ginkgo Biloba in the treatment of tinnitus. The articles selected were all published within the past five years from PubMed. 11 articles were obtained and were included in the review. Based on the articles, The most important active chemical compounds in Ginkgo Biloba are flavonoids (ginkgo-flavone glycosides) and terpenoids (ginkgolides A, B, C, J, and bilobalide). Gingko Biloba has vasoregulatory effect, antagonism of platelet activator factor, antioxidant activity, enhance neuroplasticity and inflammatory. In conclusion, Ginkgo Biloba demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of tinnitus, through the significant improvement in self-perception of tinnitus loudness and severity.&#x0D;

Cost Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Subjective Tinnitus in Australia.

The aim of this study was to conduct an economic evaluation for the treatment of subjective tinnitus using different modalities of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in Australia. A decision tree model was used to conduct a cost-utility analysis for CBT to determine the cost effectiveness for tinnitus treatments, in terms of cost per responder and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), from a health system perspective using a 2-year time horizon. Meta-analysis was used to differentiate the levels of effectiveness between three delivery methods for CBT: individual face-to-face care (fCBT), group sessions (gCBT), and a supported internet program (iCBT). One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) explored the uncertainty surrounding model inputs and outcomes. Results were presented as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios compared with no treatment, and as net monetary benefit at a $50,000 willingness-to-pay threshold. Compared with no treatment, the incremental cost per responder was $700 for gCBT, $871 for iCBT, and $1380 for fCBT. The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $35,363 per QALY for fCBT, $17,935 per QALY for gCBT, and $22,321 per QALY for iCBT compared with no treatment, although there was substantial uncertainty around the QALY gain for responders. Net monetary benefit was $356 (fCBT), $555 (gCBT), and $487 (iCBT), indicating the treatments were cost effective compared with no treatment. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed the results were most sensitive to the probability of a positive response to treatment and treatment length. The PSA found the probability of being cost effective compared with no treatment for gCBT was 99.8%, iCBT 98.4%, and fCBT 71.5% at a willingness-to-pay of $50,000 per QALY, although QALY gain remained at a fixed value in the PSA. CBT for tinnitus was likely to be cost effective compared with no treatment regardless of treatment modality, assuming they are not mutually exclusive. Of the interventions, gCBT was the lowest cost per responder and lowest cost per QALY. Internet CBT obtained comparable economic outcomes due to similar treatment effectiveness and cost. Group CBT and iCBT warrant greater adoption in clinical practice for the treatment of subjective tinnitus. Further research on preference-based utility measures for varying levels of tinnitus severity and the durability of treatment effect is required to enhance the quality of economic evaluation in this field.

Prognostic Value of Trial Round Window Stimulation for Selection of Candidates for Cochlear Implantation as Treatment for Tinnitus.

Electrical stimulation with cochlear implants is able to significantly suppress the tinnitus sensations in 25–72% of implanted patients. Up to this point, no clear predictors for the effectiveness of tinnitus suppression with cochlear implants have been found and this substantially limits the possibility of the application of cochlear implants for this purpose. The objective of the study was to investigate if a trial electrical round window stimulation (RWS) could be used as a diagnostic tool for identifying candidates in whom electrical stimulation would be successful as treatment for tinnitus. Thirty-four patients with unilateral severe tinnitus and ipsilateral moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss underwent a trial RWS under local anesthesia. Thirteen patients received a cochlear implant. All patients qualified for cochlear implantation on the basis of the trial RWS showed tinnitus suppression with the implant switched on. Complete or almost complete tinnitus suppression was obtained in 77% and partial in 23%. The mean tinnitus loudness reduction was 68% (VAS score reduction from 7.7 to 2.5). False negative results are estimated not to exceed 10–15%. We conclude that significant tinnitus suppression achieved during trial RWS under local anesthesia is a simple procedure allowing the efficient identification of candidates in whom electrical stimulation with a cochlear implant would be successful as treatment for intractable tinnitus.

The role of vitamin D in subjective tinnitus-A case-control study.

Regarding the high prevalence of vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency in the population and its possible association with ear diseases, we aimed to investigate the 25(OH)Dserum level in patients with subjective, nonpulsating tinnitus and its effect on tinnitus severity. The study included 201 tinnitus patients and 99 controls. Patient clinical information, including tinnitus characteristics and severity according to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), loudness assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), audiometry, and the blood level of vitamin D, was recorded. The level of 25(OH)D in tinnitus patients was significantly decreased compared with the controls (19.86 ± 7.53 and 27.43 ± 8.85 ng/ml, respectively; P value < 0.0001). More patients in the tinnitus group were deficient in vitamin D, compared with the controls (50.7% vs. 22.2% respectively, p < 0.0001). Tinnitus patients with a lower serum level of 25(OH)D (≤15 ng/dl) were significantly younger, had a higher degree of tinnitus severity measured with THI and VAS scales, had higher triglyceride and TSH levels, and a lower HDL level compared with individuals who had higher 25(OH)D level (>15 ng/dl). There was a strong correlation between the 25(OH)D level and THI. Our findings suggest that a large proportion of tinnitus patients suffers from vitamin D deficiency and that the vitamin D level correlates with tinnitus impact. We recommend a vitamin D assessment for all tinnitus patients.

Efficacy of pharmacologic treatment in tinnitus patients without specific or treatable origin: A network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BackgroundAlthough tinnitus has a prevalence between 20 and 42.8%, the currently recommended management for tinnitus, such as tinnitus support and psychologic therapies, are relatively time-consuming and expensive. Several new pharmacologic treatments designed for tinnitus patients without specific origin had been developed but their efficacy remains unclear.MethodsThe current Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different pharmacologic treatments for tinnitus management in tinnitus patients without specific or treatable origin (i.e. primary tinnitus). Databases were searched from inception to April 5th, 2021. All network meta-analytic procedures were conducted under the frequentist model. We calculated the effect size of outcomes with different rating scales with standardized mean difference. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020177742.FindingsOverall, 36 RCTs were included with 2,761 participants. The main results revealed that pharmacologic interventions with brain-acting effect (for example, amitriptyline, acamprosate, and gabapentin) and those with anti-inflammation/anti-oxidant effect (for example, intra-tympanic dexamethasone injection plus oral melatonin) were associated with superior improvement in tinnitus severity and response rate compared to placebo/control. Oral amitriptyline were associated with the highest improvement in tinnitus severity and the fourth highest response rate. None of the investigated interventions was associated with different changes in quality of life compared to placebo/control. All the investigated treatments were associated with similar drop-out rate to placebo/control.InterpretationThe current NMA suggests a potential role for treatments with brain-acting effect (for example, amitriptyline, acamprosate, and gabapentin) or anti-inflammation/anti-oxidant effect (for example, intra-tympanic dexamethasone injection plus oral melatonin) as the preferable effective treatments for tinnitus without specific or treatable origin.Fundingnone.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation and Validation to Brazilian Portuguese of the Tinnitus Functional Index Questionnaire.

Introduction Tinnitus affects a large portion of the world's population. There are several questionnaires being used for the evaluation of the severity of tinnitus and its impact in quality of life; however, they do not measure treatment-related changes. So, a new self-reported questionnaire was developed, the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), which has been translated into several languages. Objective To perform the translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the TFI questionnaire for Brazilian Portuguese. Method This is a multicenter project divided into two stages: translation and cultural adaptation; and validation and reliability. For the validation, the Brazilian Portuguese version of the TFI was correlated with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) domains for tinnitus and quality of life and was evaluated by the Spearman ρ test. The reliability and internal consistency were evaluated by the Cronbach α test. Result The Brazilian version of the TFI was obtained through an initial translation process, synthesis of translations, backtranslation and evaluation by a committee of experts. This version was then applied in 88 patients complaining of tinnitus from speech therapy and otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinics of the three school clinics. The Brazilian version presented high reliability, as evidenced by the Cronbach α value (α = 0.870), and strong correlation (rho = 0.760 and p = 0.000). Conclusion The high reliability found in the results demonstrates that the Brazilian Portuguese version of the TFI is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the severity and impact of tinnitus on quality of life and changes related to its treatment.

Investigating tinnitus subgroups based on hearing-related difficulties.

Meaningfully grouping individuals with tinnitus who share a common characteristics (ie, subgrouping, phenotyping) may help tailor interventions to certain tinnitus subgroups and hence reduce outcome variability. The purpose of this study was to test if the presence of tinnitus subgroups are discernible based on hearing-related comorbidities, and to identify predictors of tinnitus severity for each subgroup identified. An exploratory cross-sectional study was used. The study was nested within an online survey distributed worldwide to investigate tinnitus experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main outcome measure was the tinnitus Handicap Inventory- Screening Version. From the 3400 respondents, 2980 were eligible adults with tinnitus with an average age of 58years (SD=14.7) and 49% (n=1457) being female. A three-cluster solution identified distinct subgroups, namely, those with tinnitus-only (n=1306; 44%), those presenting with tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing loss and/or misophonia (n=795; 27%), and those with tinnitus and hearing loss (n=879; 29%). Those with tinnitus and hyperacusis reported the highest tinnitus severity (M=20.3; SD=10.5) and those with tinnitus and no hearing loss had the lowest tinnitus severity (M=15.7; SD=10.4). Younger age and the presence of mental health problems predicted greater tinnitus severity for all groups (β≤-0.1, P≤.016). Further exploration of these potential subtypes are needed in both further research and clinical practice by initially triaging tinnitus patients prior to their clinical appointments based on the presence of hearing-related comorbidities. Unique management pathways and interventions could be tailored for each tinnitus subgroup.

Sleep disturbance and psychological distress in adult patients with tinnitus

Sleep disturbance and psychological distress are among the most prevalent comorbidities of tinnitus. We aimed to clarify the dose-response effects of these phenomena with tinnitus severity. This study enrolled adult patients with subjective tinnitus for more than 6 months was conducted from January 2017 to December 2018 in one tertiary medical center and one local hospital. Data collected included demographic data and questionnaires, namely Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In total, 1610 patients with tinnitus (1105 male, 68.6%) with mean age of 48.3±14.3 years completed all questionnaires. The average THI score was 9.2±19.4, and 82.4% of patients reported to have slight tinnitus (THI ranged 0-16). The mean PSQI score was 8.4±4.3, and 70.8% of participants had sleep difficulty (PSQI>5). Compared with patients with slight tinnitus, those with catastrophic tinnitus were mostly old women with lower body mass index, and had higher scores in ESS, PSQI, and HADS (all P<0.05). In 1140 patients with sleep difficulty, independent factors influencing THI were age, ESS, and HADS, and positive correlations were observed between age-adjusted THI and ESS, HADS-A, and HADS-D (all P<0.001). Old age, daytime sleepiness, and psychological distress are highly associated with tinnitus severity among patients with sleep difficulty. Management of sleep disturbance and psychological distress is necessary to control tinnitus.

Self-help interventions chosen by subjects with chronic tinnitus – a retrospective study of clinical patients

Objective Self-help (without specialist support) can play an important role in tinnitus therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate what fraction of subjects with tinnitus use self-help, what techniques are most commonly used to reduce tinnitus severity, and what distinguishes patients that use self-help from others. Design retrospective, observational study Study sample Adult patients admitted to our hospital clinic (460 participants) aged 19–83 years and reporting chronic tinnitus. The survey concerned therapy attempts prior to the clinic visit as well as self-help techniques chosen freely by the patient to reduce tinnitus severity. Results Data showed that 40.9% of the respondents chose some action themselves to reduce their tinnitus severity. Among the reported self-help techniques, acoustic stimulation was the most popular. In addition, patients chose distraction attention, relaxation, meditation, yoga, and physical activity. The likelihood of undertaking self-help increases with better education and higher tinnitus severity. Conclusions Knowledge about patients’ preferences of forms of self-help may help the health practitioner suggest a more suitable form of therapy. Due to the great interest in using sound therapy in tinnitus, it would be worthwhile looking at new forms of this therapy, for example increasingly popular mobile applications.

An online survey study of the association between tinnitus and hyperacusis using validated questionnaires

Objective To investigate the association between the highly comorbid tinnitus and hyperacusis conditions using standard questionnaires. Design A cross-sectional internet-based survey consisted of general demographic questions, questions about hearing and emotional status, Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (TPFQ), and Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ). Study sample Six hundred sixteen completed surveys were obtained primarily from students and staff in a large university. Results About 6% of the respondents could be classified as having hyperacusis based on the criterion of HQ scores ≥ 28 and had significantly increased odds of reporting having tinnitus (OR 10.11; 95% CI 3.76–35.3). Tinnitus severity (TPFQ) and HQ scores were correlated regardless of the hearing loss status. When predicting TPFQ scores, after controlling for demographic factors and affective states, hyperacusis status became an insignificant predictor. In contrast, both affirmative answers to having anxiety and depression, together with hearing loss status and tinnitus were significant predictors of HQ scores. Conclusions Having hyperacusis did not appear to contribute significantly to tinnitus severity, but having tinnitus contributed to the likelihood of having hyperacusis. Our findings provide a nuanced view of how tinnitus and hyperacusis conditions co-occur and influence each other, which may be valuable to clinicians and researchers.

The effects of diet and physical activity induced weight loss on the severity of tinnitus and quality of life: A randomized controlled trial.

Subjective tinnitus is the most common and manifest auditory symptom of an existing pathology in the auditory system. Although the effect of obesity on tinnitus is still uncertain, it is known that increased fat tissue increases the severity and symptoms of tinnitus. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of weight loss through diet and physical activity on tinnitus. Forty-six obese subjects diagnosed with tinnitus were randomized into the diet+physical activity (PA) (n=13), diet (n=16) and the control groups (n=17). The anthropometric measurements, tinnitus severity scores, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores and short form quality of life (SF-36) scores of the individuals were recorded and compared at the beginning and at the end of the study. In the diet+PA and diet groups; body weight (diet+PA:-6.5±2.6; diet:-4.1±1) tinnitus severity (diet+PA:-11.0±7.0; diet:-9.0±8.7) and THI scores (diet+FA:-15.0±9.5; diet:-14.0±10.0) significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.01). This decline was more in those with weight loss of ≥5.0% than those with <5.0%. SF-36 score was significantly increased in the diet+PA and diet groups (respectively 10.0±5.5 and 6.0±2.7) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Diet and physical activity intervention ameliorated the tinnitus severity and quality of life in obese patients with tinnitus. However to generalize this findings further studies are needed. REGISTERED UNDER CLINICALTRIALS. NCT00123456.

Internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for tinnitus: secondary analysis to examine predictors of outcomes

ObjectivesThe current study examined predictors of outcomes of internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy (ICBT) for individuals with tinnitus.DesignSecondary analysis of intervention studies.SettingInternet-based guided tinnitus intervention provided in the UK.Participants228 individuals who underwent...