Effects of hearing aids in patients with unilateral tinnitus with acquired ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of sound therapy using hearing aids in patients experiencing tinnitus with acquired unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.MethodsA total of 97 patients with unilateral tinnitus with acquired ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss were included. Evaluation involved self-report questionnaires administered at entry, 3 months after treatment, and 1 year after treatment.ResultsThe mean Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score before treatment decreased significantly (p < 0.01) at 3 months (50.0 ± 24.5-12.7 ± 16.2), and 1 year (53.3 ± 25.5-8.79 ± 13.9), after treatment. Moreover, the visual analog scale score decreased significantly at 3 months (loudness, 69.6 ± 21.9-29.1 ± 27.2; annoyance, 71.1 ± 24.7-22.7 ± 25.5) and 1 year (loudness, 69.8 ± 22.0-21.1 ± 26.1; annoyance, 72.7 ± 25.6-19.4 ± 27.6). Approximately 80-90% of patients noticed improvements in tinnitus annoyance and loudness, as determined by their responses to the questionnaires of subjective symptom improvement.ConclusionsHearing aids are remarkably effective for patients with unilateral tinnitus with acquired ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss.