Original articles
Sound therapy for tinnitus with high frequency hearing loss (4 and/or 8 KHz)
―Hearing aid with sound generator vs. sound delivered via a smartphone―
2019 Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 74-80
Details
2019 Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 74-80
Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of sound therapy using a hearing aid with a sound generator (HA group) or sound delivered via a smartphone (SM group) for patients with bothersome tinnitus with high-frequency hearing loss (4KHz and/or 8KHz) and a score of >18 on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).
Methods: A total of 23 patients with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss were divided into the HA group (9 cases) and SM group (14 cases).
The treatment outcome was evaluated using the TH, subjective scores on tinnitus annoyance as evaluated by numerical scores for loudness, annoyance, effects on daily life, and severity. Each item was scored on a scale or 0 (representing no tinnitus) to 10 (worst tinnitus ever experienced). In addition, the self-rating grade index for improvement of tinnitus was also evaluated.
Results: Sound therapy with both the hearing aid with a sound generator and the smartphone application improved the THI scores, subjective tinnitus scores and self-rating grade index. There were no significant differences in the pre-and post-treatment scores on the THI or the evaluated items between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the self-rated improvement scores between the two groups. Hearing at the frequency of 4kHz was worse and the tinnitus duration before treatment was significantly longer in the HA group.
Conclusion: Long-term sound therapy delivered to the auditory apparatus, whether via a HA or smartphone application, is effective for alleviating tinnitus. Tinnitus patients with hearing loss at high frequencies (4, 8KHz) are advised to compare and select sound delivered via a smartphone application or a HA with a sound generator for sound therapy. On selecting, it is necessary to consider the hearing level of 4kHz, the duration of tinnitus before treatment and the cost of HA, and whether sound therapy is used during daytime work or at home after work.
