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J Am Acad Audiol 2020; 31(01): 006-016
DOI: 10.3766/jaaa.18027
Articles
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Tinnitus Sound Therapy Trial Shows Effectiveness for Those with Tinnitus

Authors

  • Richard S. Tyler

    *   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

  • Ann Perreau

    †   Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL

  • Thomas Powers

    ‡   Sivantos, Inc., Piscataway, NJ

  • Alexandra Watts

    †   Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL

  • Rachael Owen

    *   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

  • Helena Ji

    *   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

  • Patricia C. Mancini

    *   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
    §   Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
25 May 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Background:

It is well accepted among clinicians that maskers and hearing aids combined with counseling are generally helpful to tinnitus patients, but there are few controlled studies exploring the efficacy of maskers alone to decrease the prominence of tinnitus.

Purpose:

We investigated the benefit of maskers for patients with chronic, bothersome tinnitus.

Research Design:

Crossover single-participant design, where each participant served as their own control.

Study Sample:

18 adults with subjective, nonpulsatile, sensorineural tinnitus.

Intervention:

Participants participated in two six-week trials: one with sound therapy and one without. No counseling was provided in either group. Masking devices were fit with sounds intended to reduce the tinnitus prominence.

Data Collection and Analysis:

Participants rated tinnitus loudness, tinnitus annoyance, and acceptability of the background sounds using a numeric 0–100 interval scale and completed the Tinnitus Primary Functions Questionnaire (TPFQ).

Results:

Three participants dropped out. On the total score of the TPFQ, 5 of 15 remaining participants (33%) showed a benefit. Using a derived score based on functions showing a handicap before the study, maskers benefit was observed in the areas of sleep (five of nine), hearing (three of eight), thoughts and emotions (three of four), and concentration (four of eight). The TPFQ and annoyance data complemented each other well.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates the benefit of partial masking, encouraging patients to seek help from audiologists interested in providing support for tinnitus patients.

Key Words

partial masking - sound therapy - tinnitus - tinnitus maskers - Tinnitus Primary Functions Questionnaire

Sivantos, Inc. provided financial support for the study and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brazil, provided a scholarship for Dr. Mancini. This research was also funded by a Summer Research stipend and a Student–Faculty Academic Partnership grant from Augustana College awarded to Ann Perreau and WVIK, who assisted with marketing the study at Augustana College.