Comparison of acoustic therapies for tinnitus suppression: a preliminary trial

Abstract

Objective: This study obtained preliminary data using two types of sound therapy to suppress tinnitus and/or reduce its functional effects: (1) Notched noise (1000–12,000 Hz notched within a 1-octave range centred around the tinnitus pitch match [PM] frequency); and (2) Matched noise (1-octave wide band of noise centred around the PM frequency). A third (Placebo) group listened to low frequency noise (250–700 Hz). Design: Participants with bothersome tinnitus were randomised into one of the three groups and instructed to listen to the acoustic stimulus for 6 hours a day for 2 weeks. Stimuli were delivered using an iPod Nano, and tinnitus counselling was not performed. Outcome measures were recorded at the 0, 2 and 4 week study visits. Study Sample: Thirty participants with constant and bothersome tinnitus were recruited and randomised. Results: All groups showed, on average, overall improvement, both immediately post-treatment and 2 weeks following treatment. Outcomes varied between groups on the different measures and at the two outcome points. Conclusion: This study showed improvement for all of the groups, lending support to the premise that any type of sound stimulation is beneficial for relieving effects of tinnitus. These results may serve as a preliminary evidence for a larger study.