Original articles
Sound therapy for tinnitus patients with depressed state
2018 Volume 61 Issue 1 Pages 73-81
Details
2018 Volume 61 Issue 1 Pages 73-81
We conducted this study in 29 of 202 patients with tinnitus, who were in a depressed state. Of the 29 patients 13 visited our clinic for the treatment for tinnitus in spite of being treated elsewhere for depression at a mental or psychiatric clinic suggesting that tinnitus was not improved by their treatment.
A total of 17 patients mainly treated by sound therapy (hearing aid with sound generator or sound generator alone) were followed at least 3 months. The severity of tinnitus was measured by the total score on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the numerical scores for the four items of loudness, annoyance, effects on daily life and severity. Improvement of tinnitus was graded subjectively. The diagnosis of depressed state was based on history taking and the scores on the Hospital Anxiety & Depression (D) Scale (HADS) and MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
The total THI score and numerical scores on the two items, that is tinnitus annoyance and effect on life, were significantly higher in the patients with depressed state compared to those in the patients without depressed state. The tinnitus showed significant improvement in both group with and without depressed state as indicated by the reduction of the THI and numerical scores on the four items, however, the scores for D on HADS and the MINI scores did not improve in parallel with the improvement of tinnitus. There were no significant differences in the total score on the THI or the numerical scores on the four items, improvement rate of THI scores more than 20 between patients with and without history of treatment for depressed state in mental or psychiatry clinic. The duration of tinnitus before visit to our clinic in patients treated for depressed state was longer than those without treatment for tinnitus. Tinnitus patients suffering from depressed state need Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) simultaneously with psychiatric treatment for depressed state. Collaboration between the treating neurotologists and psychiatrists is mandatory.
