Effectiveness of the combined hearing and masking devices on the severity and perception of tinnitus: A randomized, controlled, double-blind study

Oz I., Arslan F., Hizal E., Erbek S. H., Eryaman E., Senkal O. A., ...Daha Fazla

ORL, cilt.75, sa.4, ss.211-220, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 75 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2013
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1159/000349979
  • Dergi Adı: ORL
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.211-220
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Betahistine dihydrochloride, Hearing aids, Masking devices, Tinnitus treatment
  • Lokman Hekim Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined hearing and tinnitus masking devices that are appropriately programmed for acoustic stimulations using wide-band noise over the specific frequency range of tinnitus. Material and Methods: A total of 21 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group I (12 patients) was managed with betahistine dihydrochloride (2HCl) and fitted either with a combined hearing aid or a sound generator, and group II (9 patients) was treated with betahistine 2HCl for 3 months. Audiological tests, pitch matching to determine the frequency of tinnitus, an assessment of tinnitus severity, and subjective scores (visual analog scale, VAS; Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire) were used to assess the patients in both groups, and a loudness scale was also analyzed in group I. The results were evaluated in a double-blinded manner. Results: Significant decreases in the severity of tinnitus, Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire score and VAS were observed in both groups. No significant differences were obtained in pitch-matched frequency of tinnitus in the two groups. Conclusion: The findings obtained using either the combined devices or the masking devices with wide-band masking demonstrate that these devices are an effective tinnitus treatment alternative.