Feasibility and Acceptability of Using Low-Gain Hearing Aids for Bothersome Tinnitus
Tinnitus, Hearing Aids, Normal Hearing
About this trial
This is an interventional other trial for Tinnitus focused on measuring tinnitus, hearing aids, normal hearing
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Inclusion criteria for the Hearing Aid study include:
- a score of 5 or greater on section A the Tinnitus and Hearing Survey during the telephone screening; and
- air conduction hearing thresholds of 25 dB HL or better from .25 kHz through 4 kHz bilaterally as measured at the first study visit;
- must not be a current hearing aid user; and
- capable of consenting and participating (including ability to communicate in English).
Inclusion criteria for the VA Clinician Interviews:
-simply VA audiologists willing to participate.
Exclusion Criteria:
Exclusion criteria for the Hearing Aid study include:
- an air conduction hearing threshold greater than 25 dB HL from .25 kHz through 4 kHz;
- significant conductive hearing loss-defined as an air-bone gap of 15 dB at more than two frequencies in one ear, or an air-bone gap greater than 20 dB at any one frequency;
- suspicion of secondary (somatic) tinnitus, or Meniere's disease (either of which can be ruled out with an examination by an appropriate physician);
- currently a hearing aid user; or
- any mental, emotional, or health conditions that would preclude full study participation.
Exclusion criteria for the VA Clinician Interviews are:
- not an audiologist
- not a VA employee.
Sites / Locations
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Hearing Aid Study
VA Clinician Interviews
Measure the reduction in tinnitus handicap when mild amplification through receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids is provided to adults with bothersome tinnitus and normal hearing thresholds.
Document the opinions, procedures, and rationale used clinically to make decisions regarding fitting mild amplification for tinnitus on Veterans with bothersome tinnitus and normal hearing thresholds. The data for this arm of the study will be collected via telephone interview.