Journal article
Use of a Smartphone App for Cochlear Implant Patients With Tinnitus
American journal of audiology, Vol.30(3), pp.676-687
09/01/2021
DOI: 10.1044/2021_AJA-20-00195
PMID: 34314254
Abstract
Purpose: Smartphone apps for tinnitus relief are now emerging; however, research supporting their use and effectiveness is lacking. Research has shown that Tinnitus Therapy sounds intended for individuals with acoustic hearing provide relief to some patients using cochlear implants (CIs) with tinnitus. Here, we evaluated the use and acceptability of a smartphone app to help CI patients with tinnitus.
Method: Participants completed a laboratory trial (n = 19) and an at-home trial (n = 14) using the ReSound Tinnitus Relief app to evaluate its acceptability and effectiveness in reducing their tinnitus. During the laboratory trial, participants selected a sound that was most acceptable in managing their tinnitus (termed chosen sound). Word recognition scores in quiet were obtained before and after sound therapy. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups for the at-home trial, that is, AB or BA, using (A) the chosen sound for 2 weeks and (B) the study sound (i.e., broadband noise at hearing threshold) for another 2 weeks. Ratings were collected weekly to determine acceptability and effectiveness of the app in reducing tinnitus loudness and annoyance.
Results: Results indicated that some, but not all, participants found their chosen sound to be acceptable and/or effective in reducing their tinnitus. A majority of the participants rated the chosen sound or the study sound to be acceptable in reducing their tinnitus. Word recognition scores for most participants were not adversely affected using the chosen sound; however, a significant decrease was observed for three participants. All 14 participants had a positive experience with the app during the at-home trial on tests of sound therapy acceptability, effectiveness, and word recognition.
Conclusions: Sound therapy using a smartphone app can be effective for many tinnitus patients using CIs. Audiologists should recommend a sound and a level for tinnitus masking that do not interfere with speech perception.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Use of a Smartphone App for Cochlear Implant Patients With Tinnitus
- Creators
- Ann E Perreau - University of IowaRichard S Tyler - University of IowaVictoria Frank - Augustana CollegeAlexandra Watts - University of IowaPatricia C Mancini - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of audiology, Vol.30(3), pp.676-687
- Publisher
- AMER SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOC
- DOI
- 10.1044/2021_AJA-20-00195
- PMID
- 34314254
- ISSN
- 1059-0889
- eISSN
- 1558-9137
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- Augustana College Cochlear Corporation
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984258849802771
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