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Guillard R, Korczowski L, Léger D, Congedo M, Londero A. REM Sleep Impairment May Underlie Sleep-Driven Modulations of Tinnitus in Sleep Intermittent Tinnitus Subjects: A Controlled Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085509. [PMID: 37107791 PMCID: PMC10138791 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Poor sleep and fragmented sleep are associated with several chronic conditions. Tinnitus is an auditory symptom that often negatively combines with poor sleep and has been associated with sleep impairment and sleep apnea. The relationship between tinnitus psychoacoustic characteristics and sleep is still poorly explored, notably for a particular subgroup of patients, for whom the perceived loudness of their tinnitus is highly modulated by sleep. (2) Methods: For this observational prospective study, 30 subjects with tinnitus were recruited, including 15 "sleep intermittent tinnitus" subjects, who had reported significant modulations of tinnitus loudness related to night sleep and naps, and a control group of 15 subjects displaying constant non-sleep-modulated tinnitus. The control group had matching age, gender, self-reported hearing loss grade and tinnitus impact on quality of life with the study group. All patients underwent a polysomnography (PSG) assessment for one complete night and then were asked to fill in a case report form, as well as a report of tinnitus loudness before and after the PSG. (3) Results: "Sleep Intermittent tinnitus" subjects had less Stage 3 sleep (p < 0.01), less Rapid-Eye Movement (REM) Sleep (p < 0.05) and more Stage 2 sleep (p < 0.05) in proportion and duration than subjects from the control group. In addition, in the "sleep Intermittent tinnitus" sample, a correlation was found between REM sleep duration and tinnitus overnight modulation (p < 0.05), as well as tinnitus impact on quality of life (p < 0.05). These correlations were not present in the control group. (4) Conclusions: This study suggests that among the tinnitus population, patients displaying sleep-modulated tinnitus have deteriorated sleep quality. Furthermore, REM sleep characteristics may play a role in overnight tinnitus modulation. Potential pathophysiological explanations accounting for this observation are hypothesized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Guillard
- GIPSA-Lab, Grenoble INP, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Damien Léger
- VIFASOM ERC 7330, Vigilance Fatigue Sommeil et Santé Publique, Université Paris Cité, 75004 Paris, France
- Centre du Sommeil et de la Vigilance, Hôtel-Dieu, APHP, 75004 Paris, France
| | - Marco Congedo
- GIPSA-Lab, Grenoble INP, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Alain Londero
- Service ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, APHP, 75015 Paris, France
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2
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Santacruz JL, de Kleine E, van Dijk P. Comparison between two self-guided tinnitus pitch matching methods. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1095178. [PMID: 36761182 PMCID: PMC9906993 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1095178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tinnitus pitch matching is a procedure by which the frequency of an external sound is manipulated in such a way that its pitch matches the one of the tinnitus. The correct measure of the tinnitus pitch plays an important role in the effectiveness of any sound-based therapies. To date, this assessment is difficult due to the subjective nature of tinnitus. Some of the existing pitch matching methods present a challenge for both patients and clinicians, and require multiple adjustments of frequency and loudness, which becomes increasingly difficult in case of coexisting hearing loss. In this paper, we present the comparison in terms of reliability between two self-guided pitch matching methods: the method of adjustment (MOA) and the multiple-choice method (MCM). Methods 20 participants with chronic tinnitus and hearing loss underwent the two assessments in two different sessions, 1 week apart. Measures of intraclass correlation (ICC) and difference in octaves (OD) within-method and within-session were obtained. Results Both methods presented good reliability, and the obtained values of ICC and OD suggested that both methods might measure a different aspect of tinnitus. Discussion Our results suggest that a multiple-choice method (MCM) for tinnitus pitch matching is as reliable in a clinical population as more conventional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L. Santacruz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands,Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Jose L. Santacruz, ✉
| | - Emile de Kleine
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands,Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Pim van Dijk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands,Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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3
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Simoes J, Bulla J, Neff P, Pryss R, Marcrum SC, Langguth B, Schlee W. Daily Contributors of Tinnitus Loudness and Distress: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:883665. [PMID: 35864989 PMCID: PMC9294456 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.883665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTinnitus is a heterogeneous condition which may be associated with moderate to severe disability, but the reasons why only a subset of individuals is burdened by the condition are not fully clear. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) allows a better understanding of tinnitus by capturing the fluctuations of tinnitus symptoms, such as distress and loudness, and psychological processes, such as emotional arousal, overall stress, mood, and concentration and how these variables interact over time. Whether any of those variables have an influence over the next day, that is, whether any of these variables are auto- or cross-correlated, is still unanswered.ObjectivesAssess whether behavioral and symptom-related data from tinnitus users from the TrackYourTinnitus (TYT) mobile app have an impact on tinnitus loudness and distress on subsequent days.MethodsAnonymized data was collected from 278 users of the iOS or Android TYT apps between 2014 and 2020. Tinnitus-related distress, tinnitus loudness, concentration level, mood, emotional arousal, and overall stress level were assessed using either a slider or the Wong-Baker Pain FACES scale via a daily survey. Three modeling strategies were used to investigate whether tinnitus loudness and distress are affected by previous days symptoms or psychological processes: auto- and cross correlations, regressions with elastic net regularization, and subgrouping within group iterative multiple model estimation (S-GIMME).ResultsNo autocorrelation or cross-correlation was observed at the group level between the variables assessed. However, application of the regression models with elastic net regularization identified individualized predictors of tinnitus loudness and distress for most participants, with the models including contemporaneous and lagged information from the previous day. S-GIMME corroborated these findings by identifying individualized predictors of tinnitus loudness and distress from the previous day.DiscussionWe showed that tinnitus loudness and tinnitus distress are affected by the contemporaneous and lagged dynamics of behavioral and emotional processes measured through EMA. These effects were seen at the group, and individual levels. The relevance EMA and the implications of the insights derived from it for tinnitus care are discussed, especially considering current trends toward the individualization of tinnitus care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Simoes
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jorge Simoes
| | - Jan Bulla
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Patrick Neff
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Center for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Rüdiger Pryss
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Steven C. Marcrum
- Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Riha C, Güntensperger D, Kleinjung T, Meyer M. Recovering Hidden Responder Groups in Individuals Receiving Neurofeedback for Tinnitus. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:867704. [PMID: 35812211 PMCID: PMC9261875 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.867704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread understanding that chronic tinnitus is a heterogeneous phenomenon with various neural oscillatory profiles has spurred investigations into individualized approaches in its treatment. Neurofeedback, as a non-invasive tool for altering neural activity, has become increasingly popular in the personalized treatment of a wide range of neuropsychological disorders. Despite the success of neurofeedback on the group level, the variability in the treatment efficacy on the individual level is high, and evidence from recent studies shows that only a small number of people can effectively modulate the desired aspects of neural activity. To reveal who may be more suitable, and hence benefit most from neurofeedback treatment, we classified individuals into unobserved subgroups with similar oscillatory trajectories during the treatment and investigated how subgroup membership was predicted by a series of characteristics. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify distinct latent subgroups with similar oscillatory trajectories among 50 individuals suffering from chronic subjective tinnitus (38 male, 12 female, mean age = 47.1 ± 12.84) across 15 neurofeedback training sessions. Further, the impact of characteristics and how they predicted the affiliation in the identified subgroups was evaluated by including measures of demographics, tinnitus-specific (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) and depression variables, as well as subjective quality of life subscales (World Health Organization—Quality of Life Questionnaire), and health-related quality of life subscales (Short Form-36) in a logistic regression analysis. A latent class model could be fitted to the longitudinal data with a high probability of correctly classifying distinct oscillatory patterns into 3 different groups: non-responder (80%), responder (16%), and decliner (4%). Further, our results show that the health-related wellbeing subscale of the Short Form-36 questionnaire was differentially associated with the groups. However, due to the small sample size in the Responder group, we are not able to provide sufficient evidence for a distinct responder profile. Nevertheless, the identification of oscillatory change-rate differences across distinct groups of individuals provides the groundwork from which to tease apart the complex and heterogeneous oscillatory processes underlying tinnitus and the attempts to modify these through neurofeedback. While more research is needed, our results and the analytical approach presented may bring clarity to contradictory past findings in the field of tinnitus research, and eventually influence clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanze Riha
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Research Priority Program “ESIT—European School of Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research,” Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Constanze Riha, , orcid.org/0000-0002-6006-7018
| | | | - Tobias Kleinjung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Meyer
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program “Dynamics of Healthy Aging,” University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Olszewski J, Bielińska M, Kowalski AJ. Assessment of Subjective Tinnitus Treatment Results Using a Prototype Device for Electrical and Magnetic Stimulation of the Ear-Preliminary Study. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12060918. [PMID: 35743949 PMCID: PMC9225432 DOI: 10.3390/life12060918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of subjective tinnitus treatment in patients with cochlear sensorineural hearing loss with magnetic ear stimulation using a prototype device. Since the 1970s, studies have been conducted on the use of electrical stimulation of the ear in the treatment of tinnitus. The available literature contains various hypotheses about the influence of electrical stimulation of the ear on tinnitus. Material and Methods: Preclinical studies were performed for 100 patients, 40 women and 60 men (124 ears in total), aged 38-72 years, treated for tinnitus. A subjective assessment of the loudness of tinnitus was performed, and the frequency and intensity as well as hearing threshold were determined using a prototype device for electro-magnetic stimulation of the ear. The treatment cycle consisted of 10 five-minute stimulations performed daily 5 times a week. Results: Before treatment, persistent tinnitus was found in 100 ears (80.6%) and periodic tinnitus in 24 ears (19.4%). Immediately after treatment, persistent tinnitus was present only in 50 ears (40.3%) and periodic tinnitus in 40 ears (32.3%). Complete resolution of tinnitus was noted in 34 ears (27.4%). On the other hand, the examination performed 3 months after the treatment showed persistent tinnitus in 40 ears (32.3%) and periodic tinnitus in 50 ears (40.3%), and complete resolution of tinnitus was recorded in 34 ears (27.4%). Based on the VAS analog scale, there was an improvement in tinnitus in 98 ears (79.0%) immediately after treatment and no improvement in 26 ears (20.0%). The mean VAS scale before treatment was 4.9 points, after treatment it was 2.1 points and 3 months after treatment it was 1.9 points. Conclusions: The preliminary research results show the high effectiveness of magnetic stimulation in the treatment of tinnitus with the use of a prototype device for electromagnetic stimulation of the ear. There was no negative effect of the stimulation on hearing or tinnitus.
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Henry JA, Carlson KF, Theodoroff S, Folmer RL. Reevaluating the Use of Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Management: Perspectives on Relevant Systematic Reviews. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2022; 65:2327-2342. [PMID: 35619049 DOI: 10.1044/2022_jslhr-21-00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tinnitus is a highly prevalent condition that can severely reduce health functioning. In spite of extant clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), implementation of these CPGs is relatively uncommon. As a result, patients seeking professional services for tinnitus often have no assurance of receiving evidence-based care. The purpose of this tutorial was to clarify the evidence for sound therapy so that it may be included in future CPGs for tinnitus. METHOD "Best clinical evidence" is obtained from high-quality systematic reviews, which are generally considered the highest level of evidence. Our review of recent, comprehensive, high-quality systematic reviews of interventions for tinnitus concludes that cognitive behavioral therapy is the only effective intervention, though the strength of evidence was generally rated as low in these reviews. Although trials of sound therapy for tinnitus have been included in these reviews, they have been rated as having high risk of bias (RoB) and not included in syntheses or rated as insufficient strength of evidence. RESULTS Conclusions from these and other reviews have influenced recommendations made in CPGs for tinnitus. These conclusions, however, can make it appear that an intervention for tinnitus is not effective, even if the opposite is true. We contend that the strict inclusion criteria for these reviews are counterproductive and have the effect of obscuring decades of evidence demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of sound therapies for tinnitus. Ultimately, this process has resulted in many patients not receiving sound therapy, despite what should be sufficient evidence that this is an effective form of intervention. CONCLUSION If we rely on systematic reviews using contemporary RoB assessment criteria for studies published prior to these reporting guidelines, then we risk excluding important conclusions regarding interventions that could help patients in need.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Henry
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Kathleen F Carlson
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
| | - Sarah Theodoroff
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Robert L Folmer
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, OR
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7
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Manchaiah V, Andersson G, Fagelson MA, Boyd RL, Beukes EW. Use of open-ended questionnaires to examine the effects of tinnitus and its relation to patient-reported outcome measures. Int J Audiol 2021; 61:592-599. [PMID: 34726543 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1995790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary aim of the study was to examine the automated linguistic analysis of the open-ended problem (PQ) and life-effects (LEQ) questionnaires to understand the psychological effects of tinnitus. DESIGN The study used a cross-sectional design. Participants completed online questionnaires which included demographic questions, several standardised patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and two open-ended questions focussing on PQ and LEQ related to tinnitus. The response to open-ended questions was analysed using the Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC) software to identify the frequency of text on various linguistic dimensions relevant to tinnitus. STUDY SAMPLE 336 individuals with tinnitus. RESULTS The study results point to two broad findings. First, although PQ and LEQ have some similarities with PROMs (e.g. the linguistic dimension negative emotions having a weak positive correlation with anxiety and depression), no correlation with the number of dimensions suggests that the open-ended questions identify additional elements that are not captured in PROMs. Second, more linguistic dimensions from the PQ correlate with PROMs compared to LEQ suggesting that the current PROMs are problem-oriented. CONCLUSIONS The study results support the idea that the use of open-ended questions in addition to PROMs may help optimise the efforts in examining the effects of chronic conditions such as tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinaya Manchaiah
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, USA.,Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between Lamar University and University of Pretoria, Beaumont, Texas, USA.,Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.,Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India
| | - 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
| | - Marc A Fagelson
- Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA.,Audiological Rehabilitation Laboratory, Auditory Vestibular Research Enhancement Award Program, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ryan L Boyd
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.,Security Lancaster, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.,Data Science Institute, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Eldré W Beukes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, USA.,Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between Lamar University and University of Pretoria, Beaumont, Texas, USA.,Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, School of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
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8
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Kikidis D, Vassou E, Markatos N, Schlee W, Iliadou E. Hearing Aid Fitting in Tinnitus: A Scoping Review of Methodological Aspects and Effect on Tinnitus Distress and Perception. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10132896. [PMID: 34209732 PMCID: PMC8269061 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Current evidence on efficacy of hearing aids (HAs) on tinnitus perception and annoyance is considered insufficient due to the heterogeneity of tinnitus characteristics and of methods used in the relevant clinical studies. This is a scoping review focused on the methodological aspects of clinical studies evaluating the value of HA fitting as part of tinnitus management over the past 10 years. Thirty-four studies were included in the review, showing important heterogeneity in almost all aspects of inclusion criteria, comparators, outcome measures, follow-up time and HA fitting procedures. Although all studies show that HA fitting has a positive impact on tinnitus perception in patients with hearing loss, the methodological heterogeneity does not allow robust conclusions. Future studies taking into account the different nature and goals of each tinnitus therapeutic modality and adapting their methods, endpoints and timelines according to them could lay the groundwork for obtaining high-quality evidence on whether and how HA fitting shall be implemented in tinnitus management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kikidis
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (N.M.); (E.I.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Evgenia Vassou
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (N.M.); (E.I.)
| | - Nikolaos Markatos
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (N.M.); (E.I.)
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universität Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Eleftheria Iliadou
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (N.M.); (E.I.)
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Simoes JP, Daoud E, Shabbir M, Amanat S, Assouly K, Biswas R, Casolani C, Dode A, Enzler F, Jacquemin L, Joergensen M, Kok T, Liyanage N, Lourenco M, Makani P, Mehdi M, Ramadhani AL, Riha C, Santacruz JL, Schiller A, Schoisswohl S, Trpchevska N, Genitsaridi E. Multidisciplinary Tinnitus Research: Challenges and Future Directions From the Perspective of Early Stage Researchers. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:647285. [PMID: 34177549 PMCID: PMC8225955 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.647285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tinnitus can be a burdensome condition on both individual and societal levels. Many aspects of this condition remain elusive, including its underlying mechanisms, ultimately hindering the development of a cure. Interdisciplinary approaches are required to overcome long-established research challenges. This review summarizes current knowledge in various tinnitus-relevant research fields including tinnitus generating mechanisms, heterogeneity, epidemiology, assessment, and treatment development, in an effort to highlight the main challenges and provide suggestions for future research to overcome them. Four common themes across different areas were identified as future research direction: (1) Further establishment of multicenter and multidisciplinary collaborations; (2) Systematic reviews and syntheses of existing knowledge; (3) Standardization of research methods including tinnitus assessment, data acquisition, and data analysis protocols; (4) The design of studies with large sample sizes and the creation of large tinnitus-specific databases that would allow in-depth exploration of tinnitus heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Piano Simoes
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elza Daoud
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Maryam Shabbir
- Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sana Amanat
- Otology & Neurotology Group CTS 495, Department of Genomic Medicine, GENYO - Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Junta de Andalucía, PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Kelly Assouly
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Cochlear Technology Centre, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Roshni Biswas
- Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Lifestyle Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Casolani
- Hearing Systems, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Oticon A/S, Smoerum, Denmark
- Interacoustics Research Unit, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Albi Dode
- Institute of Databases and Information Systems, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Falco Enzler
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Laure Jacquemin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Mie Joergensen
- Hearing Systems, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- WS Audiology, Lynge, Denmark
| | - Tori Kok
- Ear Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nuwan Liyanage
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matheus Lourenco
- Experimental Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Health Psychology Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Punitkumar Makani
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Muntazir Mehdi
- Institute of Distributed Systems, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anissa L. Ramadhani
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Constanze Riha
- Chair of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jose Lopez Santacruz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Axel Schiller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schoisswohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Natalia Trpchevska
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Experimental Audiology Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleni Genitsaridi
- Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Rademaker MM, Essers BAB, Stokroos RJ, Smit AL, Stegeman I. What Tinnitus Therapy Outcome Measures Are Important for Patients?- A Discrete Choice Experiment. Front Neurol 2021; 12:668880. [PMID: 34113313 PMCID: PMC8185356 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.668880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The therapeutic rationale varies among tinnitus therapies. A recent study identified which outcome measures should be used for different types of interventions. What patients consider the most important outcome measure in tinnitus therapy is unclear. Objectives: To study the preference of the tinnitus patient for different outcome measures in tinnitus therapy. Methods: A discrete choice experiment was conducted. Participants were provided with two alternatives per choice set (nine choice sets total). Each choice-set consisted of four attributes (tinnitus loudness, tinnitus acceptance, quality of sleep and concentration). With a difference in one of three levels (increased, similar or decreased after treatment) between the alternatives. Results were analyzed with a mixed logit model. Preference heterogeneity was explored with covariates, correlating attributes and a latent class analysis. Results: One hundred and twenty-seven participants took part. In the mixed logit models we found that the choice for a tinnitus therapy was significantly affected by all levels of the outcomes, except for a similar level in concentration and tinnitus acceptance. Tinnitus loudness was considered the most important outcome measure relative to the other attributes. Preference heterogeneity was not explained by correlating attributes. The latent class analysis identified two classes. The first class was similar to the mixed logit analysis, except for a non-significance of similar quality of sleep and tinnitus acceptance. The second class showed a statistical significant preference only for increased tinnitus acceptance and similar quality of sleep. Conclusion: Based on this study, tinnitus patients consider loudness the most important outcome measure. However, there is a variance in preference as indicated by the latent class analysis. This study underlines the importance of research into tinnitus heterogeneity. Next, this study highlights the need for research into tinnitus therapies that focus on diminishing tinnitus loudness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike M Rademaker
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Brigitte A B Essers
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Robert J Stokroos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Adriana L Smit
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Inge Stegeman
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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11
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Kikidis D, Vassou E, Schlee W, Iliadou E, Markatos N, Triantafyllou A, Langguth B. Methodological Aspects of Randomized Controlled Trials for Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and How a Decision Support System Could Overcome Barriers. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1737. [PMID: 33923778 PMCID: PMC8074073 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Although a wide range of tinnitus management interventions is currently under research and a variety of therapeutic interventions have already been applied in clinical practice, no optimal and universal tinnitus treatment has been reached yet. This fact is to some extent a consequence of the high heterogeneity of the methodologies used in tinnitus related clinical studies. In this manuscript, we have identified, summarized, and critically appraised tinnitus-related randomized clinical trials since 2010, aiming at systematically mapping the research conducted in this area. The results of our analysis of the 73 included randomized clinical trials provide important insight on the identification of limitations of previous works, methodological pitfalls or gaps in current knowledge, a prerequisite for the adequate interpretation of current literature and execution of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kikidis
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (E.I.); (N.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Evgenia Vassou
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (E.I.); (N.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universität Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (W.S.); (B.L.)
| | - Eleftheria Iliadou
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (E.I.); (N.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Nikolaos Markatos
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (E.I.); (N.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Aikaterini Triantafyllou
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (E.I.); (N.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universität Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (W.S.); (B.L.)
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12
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Haines RH, White J, Meakin G, Tan W, Hepburn T, Leighton P, Theriou C, Stockdale D, Almey C, Nicholson R, Hall DA, Sereda M. Protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled stand-alone feasibility trial to assess potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of digital hearing aids in patients with tinnitus and hearing loss (the HUSH trial). Pilot Feasibility Stud 2020; 6:41. [PMID: 32231789 PMCID: PMC7099812 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-020-00582-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The most common management strategy for tinnitus provided in the UK audiology clinics is education and advice. This may also be combined with some form of sound therapy (e.g. digital hearing aids). While education and advice is generally provided by all clinics, there is a marked variability in provision of hearing aids that depends very much on clinical decisions. A recent Cochrane review concluded a lack of evidence to support or refute hearing aid use as a routine intervention for people with tinnitus and hearing loss. This lack of evidence is reflected in the inconsistency of tinnitus management in the UK. The aim of the HUSH trial is to determine the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of hearing aids for adults with tinnitus and hearing loss. Methods This is a multicentre randomised controlled feasibility trial. Up to 100 adults, aged 18 and over, presenting to 5 UK audiology clinics with a complaint of tinnitus and measurable hearing loss are being randomised to receive either (i) education and advice (treatment as usual) or (ii) education and advice with digital hearing aids. Feasibility outcomes are being collected around recruitment, retention, patient and healthcare professional acceptability and clinical outcome assessment. Outcomes are being collected via postal questionnaire at 12 weeks post baseline. A nested interview study will supplement clinical and other outcome data, providing a detailed understanding of participants' and audiologists' experience of both tinnitus management and the research processes. Discussion This feasibility trial will help us to (i) determine if it is feasible to conduct a multicentre RCT comparing treatment as usual and treatment as usual plus digital hearing aids; (ii) optimise the design of a future definitive, multicentre RCT; and (iii) inform which outcome(s) is/are relevant for patients. This work presents an important first step in determining the effectiveness of hearing aids as a tinnitus management strategy. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN14218416. Registered on 30 July 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Haines
- 1Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jennifer White
- 1Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Garry Meakin
- 1Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Wei Tan
- 1Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Trish Hepburn
- 1Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Paul Leighton
- 2Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Chloi Theriou
- 3National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | | | | | | | - Deborah A Hall
- 3National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK.,7Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Magdalena Sereda
- 3National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK.,7Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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13
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Katiri R, Hall DA, Buggy N, Hogan N, Horobin A, van de Heyning P, Firszt JB, Bruce IA, Kitterick PT. Core Rehabilitation Outcome Set for Single Sided Deafness (CROSSSD) study: protocol for an international consensus on outcome measures for single sided deafness interventions using a modified Delphi survey. Trials 2020; 21:238. [PMID: 32131880 PMCID: PMC7057560 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-4094-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-sided deafness (SSD) describes the presence of a unilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. SSD disrupts spatial hearing and understanding speech in background noise. It has functional, psychological and social consequences. Potential options for rehabilitation include hearing aids and auditory implants. Benefits and harms of these interventions are documented inconsistently in the literature, using a variety of outcomes ranging from tests of speech perception to quality of life questionnaires. It is therefore difficult to compare interventions when rehabilitating SSD. The Core Rehabilitation Outcome Set for Single Sided Deafness (CROSSSD) study is an international initiative that aims to develop a minimum set of core outcomes for use in future trials of SSD interventions. METHODS/DESIGN The CROSSSD study adopts an international two-round online modified Delphi survey followed by a stakeholder consensus meeting to identify a patient-centred core outcome domain set for SSD based on what is considered critical and important for assessing whether an intervention for SSD has worked. DISCUSSION The resulting core outcome domain set will act as a minimum standard for reporting in future clinical trials and could have further applications in guiding the use of outcome measures in clinical practice. Standardisation will facilitate comparison of research findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roulla Katiri
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU, United Kingdom
- Department of Audiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, D07 R2WY, Ireland
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah A Hall
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU, United Kingdom
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
- University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Nora Buggy
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Hogan
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU, United Kingdom
| | - Adele Horobin
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU, United Kingdom
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Paul van de Heyning
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Experimental Laboratory of Translational Neurosciences and Dento-Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jill B Firszt
- School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Iain A Bruce
- Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Pádraig T Kitterick
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU, United Kingdom.
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
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14
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Palacios G, Noreña A, Londero A. Assessing the Heterogeneity of Complaints Related to Tinnitus and Hyperacusis from an Unsupervised Machine Learning Approach: An Exploratory Study. Audiol Neurootol 2020; 25:174-189. [DOI: 10.1159/000504741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Subjective tinnitus (ST) and hyperacusis (HA) are common auditory symptoms that may become incapacitating in a subgroup of patients who thereby seek medical advice. Both conditions can result from many different mechanisms, and as a consequence, patients may report a vast repertoire of associated symptoms and comorbidities that can reduce dramatically the quality of life and even lead to suicide attempts in the most severe cases. The present exploratory study is aimed at investigating patients’ symptoms and complaints using an in-depth statistical analysis of patients’ natural narratives in a real-life environment in which, thanks to the anonymization of contributions and the peer-to-peer interaction, it is supposed that the wording used is totally free of any self-limitation and self-censorship. Methods: We applied a purely statistical, non-supervised machine learning approach to the analysis of patients’ verbatim exchanged on an Internet forum. After automated data extraction, the dataset has been preprocessed in order to make it suitable for statistical analysis. We used a variant of the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm to reveal clusters of symptoms and complaints of HA patients (topics). The probability of distribution of words within a topic uniquely characterizes it. The convergence of the log-likelihood of the LDA-model has been reached after 2,000 iterations. Several statistical parameters have been tested for topic modeling and word relevance factor within each topic. Results: Despite a rather small dataset, this exploratory study demonstrates that patients’ free speeches available on the Internet constitute a valuable material for machine learning and statistical analysis aimed at categorizing ST/HA complaints. The LDA model with K = 15 topics seems to be the most relevant in terms of relative weights and correlations with the capability to individualizing subgroups of patients displaying specific characteristics. The study of the relevance factor may be useful to unveil weak but important signals that are present in patients’ narratives. Discussion/Conclusion: We claim that the LDA non-supervised approach would permit to gain knowledge on the patterns of ST- and HA-related complaints and on patients’ centered domains of interest. The merits and limitations of the LDA algorithms are compared with other natural language processing methods and with more conventional methods of qualitative analysis of patients’ output. Future directions and research topics emerging from this innovative algorithmic analysis are proposed.
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15
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Hibbert A, Vesala M, Kerr M, Fackrell K, Harrison S, Smith H, Hall DA. Defining Symptom Concepts in Chronic Subjective Tinnitus: Web-Based Discussion Forum Study. Interact J Med Res 2020; 9:e14446. [PMID: 31909716 PMCID: PMC6996772 DOI: 10.2196/14446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A minimum standard based upon consensus decision making recommends a core set of tinnitus-specific health complaints (outcome domains) that should be assessed and reported in all clinical trials as this enables comparisons to be made across studies as well as data pooling for meta-analysis. Objective This study aimed to further clarify how the outcome domain concepts should be defined for 5 of the core set: tinnitus intrusiveness, sense of control, acceptance of tinnitus, concentration, and ability to ignore. This step requires a clear and fully elaborated definition for each outcome domain, moving from an abstract or a vague concept to an operationalized and measurable health-related construct, so that a suitable measurement instrument can then be identified. Methods A series of 5 focus group–style semistructured discussions were conducted via a Web-based discussion forum, each open for 2 weeks and ending with a vote. The participants included 148 tinnitus experts who completed a preceding e-Delphi survey that had generated the original set of minimum standards. The participants were health care users living with tinnitus, health care professionals, clinical researchers, commercial representatives, and funders. Results The Web discussions led to a revision of all 5 original plain language definitions that had been used in the preceding e-Delphi survey. Each revised definition was voted by 8 to 53 participants and reached the prespecified threshold of 70% consensus for all except tinnitus intrusiveness. Although a single definition was not agreed upon for tinnitus intrusiveness, the majority of participants shared the view that the concept should be sufficiently broad to encapsulate a range of subdomains. The examples included tinnitus awareness, unpleasantness, and impact on different aspects of everyday life. Thematic analysis of the 5 Web-based discussion threads gave important insights into expert interpretations of each core outcome domain, generating an operationalized and measurable health construct in each case. Conclusions The qualitative data gathered during the Web-based discussion forum provided an important in-depth understanding of the health concepts that had raised a debate during earlier face-to-face meetings. The descriptive summaries and definitions provide sufficient operationalization of those concepts to proceed to the second stage of core outcome set development that is to identify and evaluate suitable measurement instruments. This study supports the use of Web-based peer discussion forums in defining health concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Hibbert
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Micky Kerr
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Fackrell
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Harriet Smith
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Ann Hall
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Malaysia
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16
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Stohler NA, Reinau D, Jick SS, Bodmer D, Meier CR. A study on the epidemiology of tinnitus in the United Kingdom. Clin Epidemiol 2019; 11:855-871. [PMID: 31572016 PMCID: PMC6750864 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s213136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Subjective tinnitus is a common symptom with potentially negative impact on quality of life. More research is required to gain a deeper understanding of the disease and its clinical presentation. To estimate the incidence of tinnitus and to describe patient-related characteristics such as lifestyle factors and comorbidities. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, we calculated incidence rates of first-time diagnosed tinnitus in an adult population between 2000 and 2016. We stratified incidence rates by sex, age, and year of diagnosis. Additionally, we performed a 1:1 matched case-control study comparing body mass index, lifestyle factors and selected comorbidities between patients with incident tinnitus and tinnitus-free controls. RESULTS We identified 109 783 adults with a first-time diagnosis of tinnitus between 2000 and 2016, yielding an overall age-standardized incidence rate of 25.0 new tinnitus cases per 10,000 person-years (95% CI: 24.6-25.5). There was a steady increase in tinnitus incidence throughout the study period. Approximately 80% of tinnitus cases were diagnosed at age 40 years or older. We observed the highest incidence rate in individuals aged 60-69 years (41.2 per 10,000 person-years, 95% CI: 40.7-41.7). Smokers and alcohol drinkers were at lower risk of being diagnosed with tinnitus compared with non-smokers and non-drinkers, respectively. The occurrence of tinnitus was strongly associated with a recent diagnosis of several otological and vestibular disorders as well as head and neck disorders. CONCLUSION The present observational study found an increasing incidence of tinnitus over time, emphasizing the continuously growing health burden. The findings on patient characteristics, lifestyle factors, and selected comorbidities contribute to a better understanding of risk factors for tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja A Stohler
- Basel Pharmacoepidemiology Unit, Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daphne Reinau
- Basel Pharmacoepidemiology Unit, Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Susan S Jick
- Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Lexington, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Bodmer
- Department of Biomedicine and Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph R Meier
- Basel Pharmacoepidemiology Unit, Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Lexington, MA, USA
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17
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McFerran DJ, Stockdale D, Holme R, Large CH, Baguley DM. Why Is There No Cure for Tinnitus? Front Neurosci 2019; 13:802. [PMID: 31447630 PMCID: PMC6691100 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tinnitus is unusual for such a common symptom in that there are few treatment options and those that are available are aimed at reducing the impact rather than specifically addressing the tinnitus percept. In particular, there is no drug recommended specifically for the management of tinnitus. Whilst some of the currently available interventions are effective at improving quality of life and reducing tinnitus-associated psychological distress, most show little if any effect on the primary symptom of subjective tinnitus loudness. Studies of the delivery of tinnitus services have demonstrated considerable end-user dissatisfaction and a marked disconnect between the aims of healthcare providers and those of tinnitus patients: patients want their tinnitus loudness reduced and would prefer a pharmacological solution over other modalities. Several studies have shown that tinnitus confers a significant financial burden on healthcare systems and an even greater economic impact on society as a whole. Market research has demonstrated a strong commercial opportunity for an effective pharmacological treatment for tinnitus, but the amount of tinnitus research and financial investment is small compared to other chronic health conditions. There is no single reason for this situation, but rather a series of impediments: tinnitus prevalence is unclear with published figures varying from 5.1 to 42.7%; there is a lack of a clear tinnitus definition and there are multiple subtypes of tinnitus, potentially requiring different treatments; there is a dearth of biomarkers and objective measures for tinnitus; treatment research is associated with a very large placebo effect; the pathophysiology of tinnitus is unclear; animal models are available but research in animals frequently fails to correlate with human studies; there is no clear definition of what constitutes meaningful change or "cure"; the pharmaceutical industry cannot see a clear pathway to distribute their products as many tinnitus clinicians are non-prescribing audiologists. To try and clarify this situation, highlight important areas for research and prevent wasteful duplication of effort, the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) has developed a Map of Tinnitus. This is a repository of evidence-based tinnitus knowledge, designed to be free to access, intuitive, easy to use, adaptable and expandable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don J. McFerran
- Colchester General Hospital, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Colchester, United Kingdom
- British Tinnitus Association, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ralph Holme
- Action on Hearing Loss, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles H. Large
- Autifony Therapeutics Limited, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - David M Baguley
- British Tinnitus Association, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Nottingham Audiology Services, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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18
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Tabori U, Ferenbok J, Thomas E, Swart Thomas JF, Albani S, Seyfert-Margolis V, Sauvage E. When Parallel Roads Meet: Orchestrating Collaborations Between Regulatory, Ethical, and Business Partners in Translational Medicine. Front Med (Lausanne) 2019; 6:87. [PMID: 31131276 PMCID: PMC6509226 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Uri Tabori
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph Ferenbok
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Thomas
- Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Joost Frans Swart Thomas
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology & Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Translational Immunology and Inflammation Centre, SingHealth, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Emilie Sauvage
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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