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Published on: September 7, 2022
Tinnitus retraining therapy using portable music players
Shinjiro Fukuda1, Takenori Miyashita, Ryuhei Inamoto
1Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Ikenobe 1750-1, Kagawa, Japan. stfukuda@med.kagawa-u.ac.jp
Auris, Nasus, Larynx
|May 24, 2011
Summary
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) using a portable music player (PMP) with environmental sounds like a stream murmur is effective. This PMP-based TRT offers a cost-effective tinnitus treatment option comparable to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Acoustic Analysis
- Therapeutic Sound Design
Background:
- Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for chronic tinnitus.
- Environmental sounds are increasingly used in TRT, but their acoustic properties and efficacy require further investigation.
- Portable music players (PMPs) offer a potential low-cost sound generation method for TRT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an acoustic analysis of environmental sounds utilized in TRT.
- To assess the efficacy of TRT using a PMP with recorded environmental sounds.
- To compare the efficacy of PMP-based TRT with traditional TRT devices.
Main Methods:
- Acoustic analysis of environmental sounds was performed using a sound analyzer.
- 23 chronic tinnitus patients were divided into PMP, tinnitus control instrument (TCI), and hearing aid (HA) groups.
- Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Stream murmur exhibited a wide-frequency band with constant strength, while wave sounds had variable strength.
- THI scores significantly decreased after 1 month and continued to decline over 12 months.
- 12-month TRT efficacy rates were 71% (PMP), 67% (TCI), and 70% (HA).
Conclusions:
- TRT using a PMP demonstrated efficacy comparable to TCI and HA devices.
- The murmur of a stream was identified as a highly effective sound for TRT.
- PMP-based TRT presents a cost-effective treatment choice for individuals with tinnitus.
