Tinnitus Retraining Therapy in Unilateral Tinnitus Patients with Single Side Deafness.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the audiologic and clinical characteristics of the tinnitus in single-sided deafness (SSD) patients and to determine whether tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is beneficial to those patients who suffer from tinnitus with SSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six tinnitus patients with unilateral sensorineural profound hearing loss were included in the SSD group, and 46 tinnitus patients with normal hearing were included in the normal hearing group (NH group). Tinnitus evaluation consisted of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and visual analog scales (VAS) were obtained at the initial interview and 6 months after TRT. The therapeutic response was analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The subjective intensity of tinnitus and objective loudness were greater in the SSD group. According to the THI scores prior to TRT, the SSD group showed significantly higher values, except in the emotional subscale. The THI score was significantly improved after TRT in both groups. The total THI score and all the subscale scores were significantly reduced. The VAS average scores were reduced from 6.5 to 5.1 in the SSD group, without statistical significance, whereas in the NH group, the VAS average scores significantly decreased from 5.8 to 4.5 after TRT. CONCLUSION: TRT was effective in SSD patients with subjective tinnitus.

Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation for chronic tinnitus.

CONCLUSION: Based on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) can provide relief from tinnitus. Response to electrical stimulation was best seen in patients with low-frequency tinnitus and with mild hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: TENS is known to alleviate symptoms of tinnitus. However, study of the effectiveness of TENS for tinnitus has produced variable results, and it is still unclear what kind of patients with tinnitus would respond best to TENS. Here, we assessed the effects of TENS on the perception of tinnitus using the THI and VAS questionnaires. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with tinnitus were divided into two groups: 45 patients received TENS and 20 patients received placebo (sham stimulation) twice a week over 4 weeks. THI and VAS scores were assessed before and after electrical stimulation. We also evaluated the effects of TENS on the degree of initial hearing loss and tinnitus frequency. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 45 patients (62.2%) revealed subjective improvement in tinnitus with TENS. TENS was more effective in patients with low-frequency tinnitus or with mild hearing loss. Symptomatic improvement in the electrical stimulation group was achieved for 1 month in most patients.