Efficacy of Amplification With Hearing Aids for Tinnitus Relief
Tinnitus, Subjective, Hearing Impairment
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Tinnitus, Subjective focused on measuring Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, Amplification, Sound Therapy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years old or above
- can provide written informed consent
- have a diagnosis of subjective tinnitus, i.e., the tinnitus can only be heard by the patient and there is no acoustic source
- a tinnitus duration of more than one year
- have pure-tone average between 20 and 40 dB HL
- have bilateral symmetrical hearing loss (i.e. difference less than 15 dB)
- have at least a medium level of distress caused by tinnitus as indicated with total scores above 30 on the TQ-CH
- are committed to complete the 12-month follow-up
Exclusion Criteria:
- objective tinnitus, i.e. tinnitus produced by an internal acoustic source activating the cochlea and can be heard by another person
- received other forms of tinnitus treatments within three months before the baseline assessment session
- any history suggestive of psychiatric illness
- psychological distress or depression as indicated with total scores at or above 15 on the Cantonese HADS
- current hearing aid users
- inability to complete the study as revealed by the medical reports
Sites / Locations
- The Education University of Hong Kong
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
No Intervention
Experimental
Active Comparator
Waiting list control group
Hearing aid group
Customized music group
There will be no treatment for 12 months.
Participants will receive amplification with hearing aids. Bilateral open-fit hearing aids will be fitted. Participants will be required to use the hearing aids for at least 2 hours daily for 12 months.
Customized music according to participants hearing level will be made available in an iPod. The iPod will deliver ear-specific therapeutic sound for asymmetrical hearing profile. Participants will have to listen to the therapeutic sound at a comfortable volume for two hours daily for 12 months.