LONG-TERM CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF TINNITUS TREATMENT BASED ON ACOUSTIC STIMULATION

Tavora-Vieira D,  Bellekom S, Miller S.

Medical Audiology Services

Background and aims: This study intends to determine the long-term tinnitus relief for patients treated with a particular tinnitus rehabilitation program, which includes counselling and a customized acoustic signal that provides relief and relaxation to the patient. This study involves fifteen fee-paying patients who concluded a sound-based tinnitus treatment over the last twelve months in a private practice in Western Australia. Previous studies reported 12 month clinical outcomes of the treatment during its clinical trial. However, there are no studies reporting full fee paying patients’ experiences twelve months after commencing the treatment. Therefore, the scope of this study is to ensure that the benefits experienced during the first six month program are still sustained in the longer term, with the measurement of outcomes at twelve months.

Method: Fifteen patients, who concluded the tinnitus rehabilitation program, at least six months prior to the commencement of this study, are asked to report on their tinnitus disturbance. They are being requested to complete the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (TRQ) based on their tinnitus’ characteristics for the previous week. The TRQ scores post-therapy is compared to their TRQ scores at the beginning of the treatment. 

Results and Conclusion: Data on the first ten patients suggest that a high proportion of patients retain the benefits of the treatment in the long term, with a significant lower level of tinnitus disturbance (as measured by TRQ). The complete dataset for this study will be ready and analyzed for the conference.

E-mail: dayse.tavora@gmail.com