Effect of a Tinnitus Sound Therapy Application on Tinnitus Relief

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone-based sound therapy application in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus.

A total of 121 participants were recruited, and 72 were included in the final analysis. Participants were instructed to use a sound therapy application on their personal smartphones for 6 months. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Outcome measures included tinnitogram, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), tinnitus-related subjective measures (loudness, annoyance, and stress), and two-channel electroencephalography (EEG).

The mean age of participants was 53.36±11.79 years, with an average tinnitus duration of 49-58 months. Significant improvements were observed over time. THI scores decreased significantly (p=0.006), as did BDI scores (p=0.002). Among subjective measures, right-ear annoyance and stress levels significantly decreased (both p=0.001), whereas tinnitogram loudness matching and subjective loudness did not show significant changes. EEG analysis demonstrated significant reductions in theta (p=0.004) and alpha power (p=0.015), with more pronounced decreases in mid-beta, high-beta, and gamma bands (all p<0.001). Gamma power declined from 5.57 at baseline to 4.56 at 6 months, while low-beta power showed no significant change (p=0.319).

Smartphone-based sound therapy may reduce tinnitus-related distress and psychological symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term effects and generalizability.