Abstract

Research Article

Changes in the frequency and intensity of Tinnitus using the Suppressive Noise Spectrum

Ming Zhang*, Alysia Jeske and Sarah Young

Published: 21 July, 2017 | Volume 1 - Issue 1 | Pages: 006-012

Objective:To report findings of improvement in patient tinnitus intensity and changes in frequency using a novel suppressive noise spectrum.

Design: Single-subject; each subject served as his or her own control. Each patient received treatment, and changes were measured over time.

Setting: Tertiary referral via university otolaryngology and hospital audiology as well as audiology clinics in the region.

Patients: Fifteen tinnitus ears in 8 patients.

Interventions: Therapeutic and rehabilitative.

Main Outcome Measures:: Tinnitus frequency, tinnitus intensity, and tinnitus questionnaire.

Results (Findings): After 3 months of exposure to the customized suppressive noise spectrum therapy, patients showed a shift in tinnitus frequency in addition to a significant decrease in tinnitus intensity from the pre-treatment to post-treatment condition (p<0.05). Typically, improvement was gradual based on comparing 3 sets of data collected at baseline, 1.5 months and 3 months.

Conclusion: Using suppression in tinnitus is novel. Based on our findings, using a customized suppressive noise spectrum is effective in shifting the frequency, reducing the intensity of subjective tonal tinnitus, and improving the handicap based on THQ test. From this seminal report, factors related to maximizing its effectiveness (e.g., length of listening time, level of hearing loss, and application for alternative tinnitus types) may be considered for future research.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.ated.1001002 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Tinnitus; Customized Sound; Sound Therapy; Rehabilitation; Outcomes; IOWA Tinnitus; Handicap Questionnaire (THQ)

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