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

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the effectiveness of sound therapy using hearing aids in patients experiencing tinnitus with acquired unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

METHODS:

A 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.

RESULTS:

The 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hearing aids are remarkably effective for patients with unilateral tinnitus with acquired ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

• Authors: Masafumi Ueno, Seiichi Shinden, Naoki Oishi, Noriomi Suzuki, Daisuke Suzuki, Kaoru Ogawa, Hiroyuki Ozawa
• Journal: Ear, nose, & throat journal (Ear Nose Throat J) Pg. 1455613221112346 (Jun 29 2022) ISSN: 1942-7522 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35768166 (Publication Type: Journal Article)