Android software-based tinnitus retraining therapy: efficacy in treatment of refractory tinnitus

Authors

  • Aakriti Sanjay Athavale Department of ENT and HNS, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka, India http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8864-0357
  • Pankaj Kumar Sahu Department of ENT and HNS, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka, India http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0238-6026
  • Roohie Singh Department of ENT and HNS, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Rashmi Natraj Department of Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology and CI Audiology, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20222166

Keywords:

Tinnitus, TRT, Sound therapy

Abstract

Background: Tinnitus is described as a perception of sound in the absence of a sound stimulus. Despite the availability of a number of management strategies, the cure for tinnitus remains elusive. Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) combines sound therapy with directive counselling to address subjective tinnitus. This study was done to assess the efficacy of TRT in management of subjective tinnitus that is refractory to various tinnitus treatment strategies. The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy of Android software TRT in management of refractory tinnitus and to observe the association of hearing status on response to TRT.

Methods: Observational, analytical cohort study of 51 patients undergoing smartphone-based TRT. The assessment tools included comprehensive audiometric evaluation, two self -administered questionnaires tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and tinnitus functional index (TFI) which were assessed at baseline (0), 6 weeks and at 12 weeks of TRT.

Results: Statistical data analysis revealed significant improvement in perceived severity of tinnitus following TRT, reflected by improvement of THI and TFI scores (statistically significant, p<0.05). Mean pure tone average threshold was 22.1Hz. Additionally, no significant association was found between the hearing loss and the severity of tinnitus.

Conclusions: There is significant improvement in self-perceived disability and severity following TRT as measured using THI and TFI. The results confirm the efficacy of TRT in management of patients with refractory tinnitus. 

Author Biographies

Aakriti Sanjay Athavale, Department of ENT and HNS, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Resident, Dept of ENT & HNS

Pankaj Kumar Sahu, Department of ENT and HNS, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Prof, Head of Dept, Dept of ENT & HNS

Roohie Singh, Department of ENT and HNS, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Prof, Dept of ENT & HNS

Rashmi Natraj, Department of Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology and CI Audiology, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Senior Clinical Audiologist, Speech and Language Pathologist, Dept of ENT & HNS

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Published

2022-08-25

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Original Research Articles