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Gasparre D, Pepe I, Laera D, Abbatantuono C, De Caro MF, Taurino A, D’Erasmo D, Fanizzi P, Antonucci LA, Pantaleo A, Cavallaro G, Pontillo V, Taurisano P, Quaranta N. Cognitive functioning and psychosomatic syndromes in a subjective tinnitus sample. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1256291. [PMID: 38192387 PMCID: PMC10773809 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1256291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tinnitus is the perception of a sound in the absence of any corresponding external sound source. Current research suggests a relationship among emotional, cognitive, and psychosomatic symptoms and the occurrence or maintenance of chronic tinnitus. This study aimed to detect the prevalence and role of psychosomatic conditions, as defined by the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR), and cognitive functioning in a group of patients with tinnitus. Methods Sixty-two patients with subjective tinnitus and 62 non-tinnitus controls were recruited from the Otorhinolaryngology Unit of the University of Bari. Pure-tone audiometry was performed in all tinnitus subjects, and sound level tolerance was evaluated. Additionally, tinnitus handicap (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory [THI]), psychopathological symptoms (Symptom Checklist-90, Revised [SCL-90-R]), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI-Y1/2]), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]), executive functions (Frontal Assessment Battery [FAB]), and psychosomatic syndromes (DCPR) were evaluated. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to detect cognitive and symptomatological differences between patients and controls. The predictivity of these factors for tinnitus severity was studied using multiple regression (Backward Elimination). All tests were considered significant at p < 0.05 (family wise error corrected for each comparison). Results 69.4% tinnitus patients met multiple DCPR criteria, compared to 32.3% of controls. Tinnitus patients exhibited elevated rates of illness denial (ꭓ2 = 9.02; p < 0.009), demoralization (ꭓ2 = 8.05; p < 0.018), somatization (ꭓ2 = 4.92; p < 0.063) and functional symptoms (ꭓ2 = 5.21; p < 0.06) scoring significantly higher on the BDI, STAI-Y1, and STAI-Y2, and SCL-90-R compared to controls. Patients with tinnitus showed lower MMSE scores, compared to controls (t = -2.282; p < 0.001). No association between tinnitus severity and global cognitive impairment emerged. Conversely, executive function deficits were associated to tinnitus severity. Among the cognitive and psychological factors, only trait anxiety, one or more psychosomatic syndromes, and somatization clusters were strongly correlated with tinnitus severity. Discussion Our findings suggest a relationship between tinnitus severity, psychological, psychosomatic symptoms, and frontal impairment. Additionally, the influence of tinnitus on cognitive functions paves the way for integrated, multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment options for patients. Although preliminary, our findings highlight the importance of early cognitive and psychological screening to improve patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Gasparre
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pepe
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Laera
- Clinical Psychology Service, Mental Health Department, ASL Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Chiara Abbatantuono
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Fara De Caro
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Taurino
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Palazzo Chiaia-Napolitano, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniele D’Erasmo
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Piero Fanizzi
- Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Linda A. Antonucci
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pantaleo
- Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giada Cavallaro
- Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Pontillo
- Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo Taurisano
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Quaranta
- Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Eimontas J, Gegieckaitė G, Asačiova I, Stičinskaitė N, Arcimavičiūtė L, Savickaitė D, Vaitiekūnaitė-Zubriakovienė D, Polianskis M, Gans J, Beukes E, Manchaiah V, Andersson G, Lesinskas E. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus compared to Internet-delivered mindfulness for tinnitus: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2023; 24:269. [PMID: 37046290 PMCID: PMC10100325 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07299-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tinnitus affects around 15% of the population and can be a debilitating condition for a sizeable part of them. However, effective evidence-based treatments are scarce. One recommended treatment for tinnitus is cognitive behavioral therapy which has been found to be effective when delivered online. However, more treatments including mindfulness-based interventions have been studied recently in an attempt to facilitate the availability of effective treatments. There are promising findings showing great effects in reducing tinnitus-induced distress and some evidence about the efficacy of such intervention delivered online. However, there is a lack of evidence on how these two treatments compare against one another. Therefore, the aim of this study will be to compare Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus against an Internet-delivered mindfulness-based tinnitus stress reduction intervention in a three-armed randomized controlled trial with a waiting list control condition. METHODS This study will be a randomized controlled trial seeking to recruit Lithuanian-speaking individuals suffering from chronic tinnitus. The self-report measure Tinnitus Handicap Inventory will be used. Self-referred participants will be randomized into one of three study arms: Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy, Internet-delivered mindfulness-based tinnitus stress reduction intervention, or a waiting-list control group. Post-treatment measures will be taken at the end of the 8-week-long intervention (or waiting). Long-term efficacy will be measured 3 and 12 months post-treatment. DISCUSSION Internet-delivered interventions offer a range of benefits for delivering evidence-based treatments. This is the first randomized controlled trial to directly compare Internet-delivered CBT and MBTSR for tinnitus in a non-inferiority trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05705323. Registered on January 30, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Eimontas
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Goda Gegieckaitė
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Irena Asačiova
- Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | | | | | - Marius Polianskis
- Clinic of Ear, Nose, Throat and Eye Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jennifer Gans
- Mindfulness Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction (MBTSR), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eldre Beukes
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative Initiative Between University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Pretoria, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Vinaya Manchaiah
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative Initiative Between University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Pretoria, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- UC Health Hearing and Balance, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Department of Speech and Hearing, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eugenijus Lesinskas
- Clinic of Ear, Nose, Throat and Eye Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Williams AP, Gourishetti SC, Flaherty MA, Eisenman DJ. Anxiety, Depression, and Symptom Severity in Patients with Pulsatile and Non-Pulsatile Tinnitus. Laryngoscope 2023; 133:683-688. [PMID: 35655445 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE(S) To compare the rates of anxiety and depression between patients with pulsatile (PT) and non-pulsatile tinnitus (NPT), and their correlation with tinnitus severity. METHODS A prospective cross-sectional study of consecutive patients presenting either to the otolaryngology clinic for pulsatile (PT) and NPT or to a tertiary care tinnitus habituation program (THP) were administered the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), 7-item general anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7), and 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Median scores between groups and correlation of scores within groups were calculated and compared. RESULTS Median THI scores were significantly higher for THP and PT patients as compared with unselected NPT patients (58 and 44 vs. 20, p ≤ 0.001). Median GAD-7 (10 vs. 2.5 and 2, p ≤ 0.001) and PHQ-9 (7 vs. 4 and 4, p = 0.04) scores were highest in THP patients compared with PT and NPT. The strongest correlation between tinnitus handicap and psychiatric measures was seen in THP patients. CONCLUSION THP patients report higher levels of anxiety and depression compared with PT and other NPT patients. Tinnitus severity correlates more strongly with GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores in THP patients compared with other patient groups. PT patients have a greater self-perceived tinnitus handicap than the general cohort of NPT patients, statistically comparable to THP patients. Despite this, anxiety and depression are not more severe in patients with PT as they are in THP patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2B Laryngoscope, 133:683-688, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison P Williams
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Saikrishna C Gourishetti
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Marissa A Flaherty
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - David J Eisenman
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
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Demoen S, Chalimourdas A, Timmermans A, Van Rompaey V, Vanderveken OM, Jacquemin L, Schlee W, Marneffe W, Luyten J, Gilles A, Michiels S. Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Interventions for Self-management of Tinnitus: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e39076. [PMID: 36757768 PMCID: PMC9951082 DOI: 10.2196/39076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tinnitus is a highly prevalent symptom affecting 10%-20% of the adult population. Most patients with tinnitus have chronic tinnitus, which can directly or indirectly disrupt their daily life and negatively affect the health-related quality of life. Therefore, patients with tinnitus are frequently in need of costly and time-consuming treatments. As an answer, telerehabilitation interventions are on a rise to promote self-management in patients with tinnitus and reduce their dependency on in-person care. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of the research concerning the effectiveness of telerehabilitation interventions for self-management of tinnitus. METHODS This systematic review adheres to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies were eligible for inclusion if study participants were adult patients with complaints of primary subjective tinnitus and the study intervention comprised any possible telerehabilitation form for the self-management of tinnitus complaints. A search for eligible studies was conducted on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool was used to the assess risk of bias. RESULTS In total, 29 articles were found eligible, and of these, 5 (17%) studied multiple telerehabilitation forms. Internet-based cognitive behavioral treatment with guidance by a psychologist or audiologist was examined in 17 studies (n=1767), internet-based cognitive behavioral treatment without guidance was examined in 4 studies (n=940), self-help manuals were examined in 1 study (n=72), technological self-help devices were examined in 2 studies (n=82), smartphone apps were examined in 8 studies (n=284), and other internet-based interventions were examined in 2 studies (n=130). These rehabilitation categories were proven to be effective in decreasing tinnitus severity and relieving tinnitus distress as measured by tinnitus questionnaires such as Tinnitus Functional Index, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, or Tinnitus Reactions Questionnaire. However, dropout rates were often high (range 4%-71.4%). All studies reported between some concerns and high concerns of risk of bias, resulting in low to moderate certainty levels. CONCLUSIONS Overall, there is low to moderate quality evidence that telerehabilitation interventions effectively reduce tinnitus severity and distress. These interventions form a possible tool to improve the self-management capacities of the patient and the accessibility of tinnitus care as a replacement or an addition to in-person care. Nevertheless, barriers such as lack of time, engagement, motivation, and openness of the patient causing high dropout should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42021285450; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=285450.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Demoen
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of translational neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Antonios Chalimourdas
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Annick Timmermans
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Vincent Van Rompaey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of translational neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Olivier M Vanderveken
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of translational neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Laure Jacquemin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of translational neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wim Marneffe
- Faculty of Business Economics, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Janis Luyten
- Faculty of Business Economics, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Annick Gilles
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of translational neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Education, Health and Social Work, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah Michiels
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
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Beukes EW, Andersson G, Manchaiah V. Long-term efficacy of audiologist-guided Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for tinnitus in the United States: A repeated-measures design. Internet Interv 2022; 30:100583. [PMID: 36353148 PMCID: PMC9637888 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2022.100583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigated the long-term outcomes 1-year after undertaking an Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for tinnitus distress in a US population. Secondary aims were to identify the effects on additional difficulties associate with tinnitus and any unwanted events related to ICBT for tinnitus. METHODS A repeated-measures design with 4 time points was used. Participants previously undertaking two randomized ICBT efficacy trials for tinnitus in the US were invited to participate. Of the 200 invited, 132 (66 %) completed the 1-year follow-up questionnaire. The primary outcome was a change in tinnitus distress from baseline at one year post-intervention, as assessed by the Tinnitus Functional Index. Secondary assessment measures were included for anxiety, depression, insomnia, hearing disability, hyperacusis, tinnitus cognitions and health-related quality of life. RESULTS Undertaking ICBT for tinnitus led to significant improvements 1-year post-intervention for tinnitus severity, with a large effect size (d = 1.06; CI: 0.80 to 1.32). Medium effects were found for anxiety (d = 0.54; CI: 0.29 to 0.79), depression (d = 0.46; CI: 0.21 to 0.70), insomnia (d = 0.47; CI: 0.22 to 0.72), and tinnitus cognitions (d = 0.43, CI: 0.18 to 0.68). Small effect sizes were found for hearing disability, hyperacusis and health-related quality of life. Adverse events related to the intervention were only reported by 1 participant. CONCLUSIONS The benefits of audiologist-guided ICBT for tinnitus and tinnitus-related difficulties were maintained 1-year post-intervention with very few adverse events reported. Ways of disseminate evidence-based easily accessible interventions to the general population with bothersome tinnitus should be sought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eldré W. Beukes
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK,Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative Initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Pretoria, Aurora, CO, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Vision and Hearing Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vinaya Manchaiah
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative Initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Pretoria, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,UC Health Hearing and Balance, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa,Department of Speech and Hearing, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Abouzari M, Tawk K, Lee D, Djalilian HR. Migrainous Vertigo, Tinnitus, and Ear Symptoms and Alternatives. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2022; 55:1017-1033. [PMID: 36150941 PMCID: PMC9580398 DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2022.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Migraine headaches frequently coexist with vestibular symptoms such as vertigo, motion sickness, and gait instability. Migraine-related vasospasm can also damage the inner ear, which results in symptoms such as sudden sensorineural hearing loss and resultant tinnitus. The pathophysiology of these symptoms is not yet fully understood, and despite their prevalence, there is no universally approved management. This review summarizes the data on complementary and integrative medicine in treating patients with migrainous ear disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Abouzari
- Division of Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, 19182 Jamboree Road, Otolaryngology-5386, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Karen Tawk
- Division of Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, 19182 Jamboree Road, Otolaryngology-5386, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Darlene Lee
- Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, University of California, 5141 California Avenue, Suite 200B, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Hamid R Djalilian
- Division of Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine, 19182 Jamboree Road, Otolaryngology-5386, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, USA.
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Tang D, Wang K, Ye Z, Gu D, Ye L, Sun S, Li H. The Fudan Tinnitus Relieving System (FTRS): The initial results of a smartphone application for tinnitus management and treatment. Internet Interv 2022; 29:100564. [PMID: 36092991 PMCID: PMC9452043 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2022.100564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tinnitus is highly prevalent in the population, but there are currently few effective therapeutic interventions. Mobile applications (apps) might be helpful in tinnitus diagnosis and treatment by offering sound or music tools as well as questionnaires. We assessed the efficacy of a free, publicly available smartphone app (Fudan Tinnitus Relieving System, FTRS) for self-management of tinnitus and related symptoms. METHODS Among a total of 3564 participants recruited primarily online, 2744 patients had complete information at baseline and were an average of 37 years old and were 59.84 % male. Web-administered self-report measures THI, HADS, AIS, and other multi-dimensional scales were conducted at baseline and at 1 month and 2 months following treatment. Data from 54 participants who completed continuous follow-up were used for the final efficacy analysis and longitudinal analysis. RESULTS Following the intent-to-treat principle, t-tests revealed that the distribution of patients and the tinnitus features of patients of different genders were heterogeneous. One-way ANOVA showed that after using the FTRS app, THI scores showed a decreasing trend (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION FTRS use resulted in significantly greater improvements in tinnitus and other outcomes relative to their baseline condition before treatment. Given the ubiquity of smartphones, FTRS may provide a wide-reaching and convenient public health intervention for individuals with tinnitus symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Kunkun Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Zhengqiang Ye
- Information center, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Dantong Gu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Lei Ye
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Shan Sun
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China,Corresponding authors at: Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Huawei Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China,Fudan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Biomedical Science, Shanghai, CN, China,Corresponding authors at: Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
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Marks E, Handscomb L, Remskar M. "I can see a path forward now": a qualitative investigation of online groups for tinnitus in the time of Covid-19. Int J Audiol 2022:1-8. [PMID: 35499467 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2063195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Covid-19 pandemic led the British Tinnitus Association to offer more online support to people with tinnitus. The aim of this study was to understand how low-intensity group-based digital interventions could benefit people with tinnitus. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences and views on receiving support via an online group. STUDY SAMPLE Sixteen people with tinnitus who had attended a recent online tinnitus group and/or workshop were recruited using convenience sampling. RESULTS Three overarching themes were extrapolated from the data: feeling part of a community, being reliably informed, and living better with tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS Participants reported significant benefits from both types of online group. There was appreciation for the accessibility of help during lockdown, and participants felt that this type of support would continue to be valuable post-pandemic. As seen in research on face-to-face groups, benefits came from a supportive community of people with tinnitus and knowledgeable, skilled and trustworthy facilitation and information provision. Outcomes focussed on feeling less isolated, more informed and hopeful. Online groups could offer an accessible ongoing resource supporting people on their journey with tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucy Handscomb
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, UCL Ear Institute, London, UK
| | - Masha Remskar
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Addressing the Controversy of Its Clinical Delivery by Audiologists. Ear Hear 2021; 43:283-289. [PMID: 34711745 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Audiologists' role in providing care for tinnitus typically includes conducting an audiologic evaluation, fitting hearing aids when appropriate, assessing the impact of tinnitus, and facilitating use of sound to improve quality of life with tinnitus when appropriate. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is consistently judged by systematic reviews as having the strongest evidence relative to other therapies for improving quality of life with tinnitus. Because audiologists are already playing an active role in providing care for tinnitus, and the relative paucity of behavioral health providers who are experienced in implementing CBT for tinnitus, a logical question is whether audiologists can provide CBT and whether it is within their scope of practice. In this article, we present both sides of the argument as to whether audiologists can provide CBT and we make recommendations for appropriate administration of CBT for tinnitus management.
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Tai Y, Husain FT. Association Between Tinnitus Pitch and Consonant Recognition in Noise. Am J Audiol 2020; 29:916-929. [PMID: 33237797 DOI: 10.1044/2020_aja-20-00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Difficulties in speech-in-noise understanding are often reported in individuals with tinnitus. Building on our previous findings that speech-in-noise performance is correlated with subjective loudness of tinnitus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of tinnitus pitch on consonant recognition in noise. Method Pure-tone audiometry and the Quick Speech-in-Noise Test were conducted on 66 participants categorized into four groups by their hearing sensitivity and self-report of tinnitus. Consonant recognition scores at various frequency ranges were obtained at the 5 dB SNR condition of the Quick Speech-in-Noise Test. Participants with tinnitus also completed a tinnitus pitch-matching procedure. Correlation analyses were conducted between tinnitus pitch and the frequency of the worst consonant recognition, and the error rates based on word and sentence position were compared. Results Regardless of hearing sensitivity, tinnitus pitch did not correlate with the frequency of the worst consonant recognition. Sentence-initial word recognition was affected by hearing loss, whereas sentence-final word recognition was not affected by hearing loss or tinnitus. In contrast to individuals with normal hearing, participants with hearing loss varied in full-sentence recognition, with those reporting tinnitus exhibiting significantly higher error rates. Conclusions The findings suggest that the effect of tinnitus on consonant recognition in noise may involve higher level functions more than perceptual characteristics of tinnitus. Furthermore, for individuals with speech-in-noise concerns, clinical evaluation should address both hearing sensitivity and the presence of tinnitus. Future speech-in-noise studies should incorporate cognitive tests and, possibly, brain imaging to parse out the contribution of cognitive factors, such as cognitive control, in speech-in-noise in tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihsin Tai
- Department of Speech & Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
| | - Fatima T. Husain
- Department of Speech & Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
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