Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Tinnitus, therapy'

<p>Sammanfattning</p><p>Tinnitus är idag ett folkhälsoproblem i Sverige som drabbar allt fler. Det finns i dagsläget inget definitivt botemedel men det finns behandlingsmetoder som syftar till att på olika sätt lindra tinnitus. En av dessa metoder är Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) som grundar sig i den neurofysiologiska modellen. TRT består av två delar; rådgivning och ljudterapi. I ljudterapin tillämpas vanligtvis en ljudstimulator som tillför ett bredbandigt brus på svag nivå i patientens öra.</p><p>Syftet</p><p>Syftet med uppsatsen är att redogöra för effekten av behandlingsmetoden Tinnitus Retraining Therapy.</p><p>Metod</p><p>Metoden har omfattat granskning av artiklar som sökts via Örebro Universitets databaser samt via relevanta referenslistor i arbeten, böcker och artiklar. Urvalet har innefattat tre steg. Första steget var att välja ut artiklar publicerade i vetenskapliga tidskrifter genom att granska artiklarnas titel. Andra steget var att granska de artiklar som valdes ut i steg ett genom att läsa deras sammanfattningssida för att se om innehållet var relevant för arbetets syfte. Tredje steget var att utförligt läsa de artiklar som valts ut i steg två.</p><p>Resultat och diskussion</p><p>Resultatet och diskussionen visar att det är svårt att säga huruvida TRT är effektivt. För detta skulle en mer omfattande liknande studie vara nödvändig.</p>

Tinnitus is the experience of sounds in the ears without any external auditory source and is a common, debilitating, chronic symptom for which we have yet to develop sufficiently efficacious interventions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has evolved over the last 20 years to become the most empirically supported treatment for treating the adverse effects of tinnitus. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of individuals do not benefit from CBT-based treatments. In addition, the theoretical underpinnings of the CBT-model are poorly developed, the relative efficacy of isolated procedures has not yet been demonstrated, and the mechanisms of therapeutic change are largely unknown. These significant limitations preclude scientific progression and, as a consequence, leave many individuals with tinnitus suffering. To address some of these issues, a contextual multi-method, principle-focused inductive scientific strategy, based on pragmatic philosophy, was employed in the present thesis project. The overarching aim of the thesis was to explore the utility of a functional dimensional process in tinnitus: Experiential avoidance—experiential openness/acceptance (EA). EA is defined as the inclination to avoid or alter the frequency, duration, or intensity of unwanted internal sensations, including thoughts, feelings or physical sensations. The thesis is based on experimental work (Study II, VI), process and mediation studies (Study I, III, V), and on randomized controlled trials (Study III, IV). Three main sets of findings supported the utility of EA in tinnitus. First, an acceptance-based treatment (i.e.,Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT) was found to be effective in controlled trials. Study III demonstrated that face-to-face ACT was more effective than a wait-list control and a habituation-based sound therapy. Study IV showed that internet-delivered ACT was more effective than an active control condition (internet-discussion forum) and equally effective as an established internet-delivered CBT treatment. Second, processes research (Study I, III, V) showed that key postulated processes of change were linked to the specific technology of ACT and that these changes in processes were associated with therapeutic outcomes. Specifically, Study V found evidence to that decreases in suppression of thoughts and feelings over the course of treatment were uniquely associated with therapeutic gains in ACT as compared with CBT. Third, experimental manipulations of experiential avoidance and acceptance processes provided support to the underlying dimension (Study II, VI). That is, Study II, employing an experimental manipulation, found that controlling background sounds were associated with reduced cognitive efficiency and increased tinnitus interference over repeated experimental trials. In addition, in normal hearing participants, experimentally induced mindfulness counteracted reduced persistence in a mentally challenging task in the presence of a tinnitus-like sound stemming from initial effortful suppression of the same sound (Study VI). It is concluded that a principle-, contextual-focused approach to treatment development may represent an efficient strategy for scientific progression in the field of psychological treatments of tinnitus severity.<br>Tinnitus är upplevelsen av ljud i frånvaro av en extern ljudkälla och är ett vanligt, långvarigt och svårbehandlat hälsotillstånd. Kognitiv beteendeterapi (KBT) har det starkaste forskningsstödet för att behandla de negativa konsekvenserna av tinnitus. Detta till trots svarar inte en stor andel på KBT-baserade behandlingar för tinnitus. Behandlingsutvecklingen av KBT försvåras som konsekvens av att teorier som behandlingen vilar på är dåligt utvecklade, effekten av isolerade tekniker har inte bevisats, och att förändringsmekanismer är till största del okända. Föreliggande avhandling avsåg att adressera några av ovanstående problem genom att tillämpa en induktiv, flermetod, principstyrd vetenskaplig strategi baserad på pragmatisk kontextuell filosofi. Det övergripande syftet med avhandlingen var att undersöka användbarheten i en funktionell processdimension vid tinnitus: upplevelsemässigt undvikande—upplevelsemässig acceptans (EA). EA definieras som benägenheten att undvika eller förändra frekvensen, durationen eller intensiteten av icke-önskade inre sensationer som tankar, känslor och fysiologiska sensationer. Avhandlingen är baserad på experimentella studier (Studie II, VI), process och mediationsstudier (Studie I, III, V) och randomiserade kontrollerade studier (Studie III, IV). Tre övergripande fynd bekräftade användbarheten av EA vid tinnitus. För det första kunde det påvisas i randomiserade, kontrollerade studier att en acceptans-baserad behandling (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT) hade effekt på tinnitusbesvär. Studie III fann stöd för att ACT var mer effektiv än en väntelistekontroll och en habitueringsfokuserad ljudterapi. Studie IV fann stöd för att internet-förmedlad ACT var mer effektiv än en aktiv kontrollbetingelse (internet-diskussionsforum) och lika effektiv som en etablerad internet-förmedlad KBT-behandling. För det andra kunde processforskning (Studie I, III, V) påvisa att teoretiskt viktiga processer var relaterade till specifika tekniker i ACT och att dessa processer var i sin tur associerade med behandlingsutfall. Exempelvis kunde Studie V styrka att minskning i individers benägenhet att tränga undan tankar och känslor i relation till tinnitus var unikt associerat med behandlingsutfall i ACT i jämfört med KBT. För det tredje påvisade experimentella manipulationer av acceptans- och undvikande-processer användbarheten av EA (Studie II, VI). Studie II fann stöd för att kontroll över maskeringsljud var associerad med minskad kognitiv prestationsförmåga och ökade besvära av tinnitus över upprepade experimentella manipulationer i jämfört med att inte ha kontroll över maskeringsljudet. Slutligen visade Studie VI att bland normalhörande kunde experimentellt inducerad mindfulness motverka minskad förmåga att hålla ut i en mentalt krävande uppgift i närvaro av ett tinnitusliknande ljud till följd av initial suppression av samma ljud. Den övergripande konklusionen av vetenskapliga arbeten som sammanfattas i avhandlingen var att en principstyrd och kontextuell vetenskaplig strategi kan vara en framkomlig väg för att utveckla psykologiska behandlingar för tinnitusbesvär.

Tinnitus is a highly prevalent health condition creating moderate or severe interference on mood, sleep and daily functioning for a group of those affected. The aims of this thesis were 1) to explore the role of acceptance and psychological flexibility in understanding tinnitus interference both experimentally and with a longitudinal design 2) to evaluate the immediate and long-term outcomes of an acceptance based behaviour therapy (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; ACT) in the treatment of people with tinnitus and, 3) to investigate the relationship between treatment outcome and processes assumed to be the active ingredients of treatment (acceptance and cognitive defusion). Study I (n=47) was an experiment comparing the impact of acceptance to that of thought suppression or a neutral instruction on the ability to maintain attention on an imagery task. Results indicated that participants could benefit from an acceptance strategy when performing the task. Study II (n=47) was a longitudinal trial studying the mediating role of acceptance on the relationship between tinnitus interference at baseline and tinnitus interference, anxiety, life quality, and depression at a seven-month follow-up. Full mediation was found for life quality and depression, and partial mediation for tinnitus interference. Study IV (n=64) was a randomised controlled trial evaluating the immediate and long-term effects of ACT in comparison to those of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) and to a wait list control. Results showed that ACT had large immediate effects on tinnitus interference in comparison to wait list, and medium long-term effects in comparison to TRT. Results were also seen on secondary outcome. Self-reported tinnitus acceptance significantly mediated the immediate outcome of ACT. Study III (n=24) was a process study where the video recorded sessions of ACT from study IV were observed and rated with regard to client behaviour. Results showed that in-session acceptance and defusion behaviours rated early in therapy were predictors of sustained positive treatment effects of ACT. These associations continued to be substantial even when controlling for the prior improvement in outcome. This whereas prior symptom change could not predict process variables rated late in therapy. Participants in all trials were chronic tinnitus patients, mainly from different departments of audiology. These findings implicate that 1) acceptance and psychological flexibility may contribute to the understanding of tinnitus interference 2) ACT can reduce tinnitus interference in a group of normal hearing tinnitus patients and 3) acceptance and cognitive defusion are important processes in ACT, related to outcome.<br>Tinnitus är ett mycket vanligt hälsoproblem där en grupp av de drabbade upplever påtagliga besvär såsom påverkan på sömn, välbefinnande och funktionsnivå. Denna avhandlings syften var att 1) utforska den roll acceptans och psykologisk flexibilitet har för förståelsen av tinnitusbesvär såväl experimentellt som med en longitudinell design 2) utvärdera de omedelbara och långsiktiga effekterna av en acceptansinriktad beteendeterapi (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; ACT) vid behandling av personer med tinnitus samt 3) undersöka relationen mellan behandlingsutfall och processer som antas utgöra behandlingens aktiva komponenter (acceptans och kognitiv defusion). Studie I (n=47) var ett experiment där man jämförde förmågan att bibehålla uppmärksamheten på en mental bild vid tre olika betingelser: acceptans, tankesuppression eller en neutral betingelse. Resultaten indikerade att deltagarna som slumpats till acceptans var hjälpta av denna strategi i genomförandet av uppgiften. Studie II (n=47) var en självrapportstudie med longitudinell design där det undersöktes om acceptans fungerade som en mediator i sambandet mellan tinnitusbesvär i baslinjen och livskvalitet, depression, ångest och tinnitusbesvär vid en uppföljning efter sju månader. För variablerna livskvalitet och depression visade resultaten en fullständig mediation och för tinnitusbesvär en partiell mediation. Studie IV (n=64) var en randomiserad kontrollerad prövning av de omedelbara och långsiktiga effekterna av ACT i jämförelse med Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) och en väntelistekontrollgrupp. Resultaten visade att ACT hade en stor omedelbar effekt på tinnitusbesvär i jämförelse med väntelistan och en medelstor effekt i jämförelse med TRT. Även sekundära utfallsmått visade på effekter. Utfallet i ACT medierades av självrapporterad acceptans av tinnitus. Studie III (n=24) studerade processer i ACT-behandlingen genom observation och skattning av klientbeteenden under de videoinspelade sessionerna. Resultaten visade att klienternas acceptans- och defusionbeteende under sessioner tidigt i terapin predicerade det långsiktiga utfallet i behandlingen. Dessa samband kvarstod även när man kontrollerade för symtomförbättring fram till den skattade sessionen. Detta medan tidigare symtomförbättring inte predicerade klientbeteende senare i behandling. Deltagare i samtliga studier var patienter med kronisk tinnitus, huvudsakligen rekryterade från reguljär hörselvård. Resultaten från dessa studier indikerar att 1) acceptans och psykologisk flexibilitet kan bidra till förståelsen av tinnitusbesvär 2) ACT kan minska tinnitusbesvär hos en grupp normalhörande patienter 3) acceptans och kognitiv defusion är viktiga processer i ACT vilka är relaterade till behandlingutfallet.

Tinnitus continues to challenge patients from all walks of life and clinicians from a variety of disciplines. The lack of an evidence base to support a specific treatment confounds efforts to provide consistent benefit to patients and in many instances creates in the patient the impression that nothing can be done to improve their situation. Part of the problem is that although patients rarely experience complete elimination of a tinnitus signal, they often experience relief when receiving effective counseling, specific coping strategies, and sound therapy. Although in most clinical activities the tinnitus remains (i.e., it is not cured), its influence may wane as the patient learns to manage their environment, activities, and ultimately their response to tinnitus. At the same time, several medical interventions target reduction of the tinnitus sound, an approach more consistent with what patients expect as a cure. Therefore, the majority of clinical activity directed at care for patients with tinnitus typically targets either elimination of the tinnitus sound (tinnitus treatment) or modification of the patient's response to the sound (tinnitus management). This review distinguishes and offers examples of both treatment and management programs employed clinically for patients with tinnitus.

Background to the study: Cochlear implants (CI) can help to suppress tinnitus and often make existing tinnitus more bearable. However, a number of patients still suffer from tinnitus afterwards. In some cases the implantation makes existing tinnitus worse, or tinnitus may occur as a result of cochlear implantation. Because of the inconclusive aetiology of tinnitus it is difficult to treat its effects. So far, one of the most popular treatments for tinnitus is the widely used Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which aims to influence dysfunctional emotions, behaviours and cognitions though a goal-orientated, systematic procedure. CBT aims to minimize the side-effects of tinnitus and help to manage it in a more efficient way. CBT has been investigated in several studies and shows promising results in reducing the debilitating effect of tinnitus. CBT has not yet been used specifically for, or investigated in, relation to treating CI users suffering from tinnitus. Aims and outline of the study: Our research aimed to investigate CBT’s effectiveness for cochlear implant users. Using a randomized control trial, we investigated whether two-hour Tinnitus Workshops for the control group were as equally as effective as CBT for the research group. We also explored if either type of treatment for cochlear implant users needed any modifications to make them more suitable for this group of tinnitus sufferers. Using Open Questions, we investigated tinnitus in cochlear implant users. We analysed the Open Questions from both groups, creating a profile of a typical cochlear implant user who suffers from tinnitus, and we also explored whether both interventions (Tinnitus Workshop or CBT) were suitable for this kind of patient. Data was gathered, pre- and post-interventions, by questionnaires; these were Tinnitus Questionnaires (TQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Quality of Life Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: In the control group, we found no significant differences between the TQ scores pre- and post-intervention. VAS scores post-intervention were lower than pre-intervention, indicating some improvement in individual tinnitus perception; however, the difference was not significant. In the research group, we found small, but not significant, differences in both TQ pre- and post-intervention (z =1.83, p>.05) and in VAS (z=0.14, p>.05). No significant differences were found between the control and the research group pre- and post-intervention. Conclusions: The questionnaires used in this study, such as TQ or VAS, showed a decrease in general tinnitus distress, but a larger-sized sample group may be needed for greater statistical certainty. The results from the Open Questions showed that cochlear implant users were affected by tinnitus in a similar way to non-cochlear implant users. Overall, both interventions need further, small modifications and adjustments to their protocols in order to be more effective for this type of tinnitus sufferer.

Objectives: Although tinnitus is one of the most commonly-reported symptoms in the general population, patients with bothersome tinnitus are challenged by issues related accessibility of care, and intervention options that lack strong evidence to support their use. Therefore, creative ways of delivering evidence- based interventions are necessary. This presentation focuses on the adaptation of an Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) intervention, originally used in Sweden and in the UK, for individuals with tinnitus in the United States. Elements of the ICBT program requiring consideration included (a) adaptations to the platform’s features and functionalities, (b) translation into Spanish to extend the reach of the program (c) user acceptability and satisfaction of the program, (d) outcomes from a pilot trial from which it was hypothesized that patients would demonstrate a reduction in tinnitus distress and associated difficulties as measures using standardized self-reported outcome measures, and (e) discussion of the relative merits and appropriateness of the intervention. Design: The iTerapi platform developed in Sweden was adopted for use in the US. The platform required functional and security features modifications to confirm its compliance with both institutional and governmental regulations, and to ensure it was suitable for the US population. Acceptability and suitability of the materials were evaluated by both hearing healthcare professionals (n=11) andindividuals with tinnitus (n=8). A pilot study followed as adults with bothersome tinnitus completed the 8-week program (n=30). Results: Cultural adaptations included word substitutions, adapting counseling examples for a US population, and modifying the spelling of certain words. The materials were then translated into Spanish and cross-checked. Professional review ensured the suitability of the chapters. Literacy level analysis confirmed all chapters were within the guidelines to be below the 6th grade level for readability. Healthcare professionals and individuals with tinnitus reported favorable acceptance and satisfaction ratings regarding the content, suitability, presentation, usability and exercises provided in the ICBT platform. Preliminary analyses of pilot data indicated a reduction in tinnitus distress and associated difficulties (i.e., anxiety, depression, insomnia) and an improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: Ensuring that the ePlatform offers the appropriate features and functionalities for the intended population is an essential part of developing Internet-based intervention. The user evaluations and pilot trial outcomes indicated that clinical trials can be performed to assess the effectiveness of ICBT for tinnitus in the US.

Objective: Although tinnitus is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in the general population, patients with bothersome tinnitus are challenged by issues related to accessibility of care and intervention options that lack strong evidence to support their use. Therefore, creative ways of delivering evidence-based interventions are necessary. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) demonstrates potential as a means of delivering this support but is not currently available in the United States. This article discusses the adaptation of an ICBT intervention, originally used in Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom, for delivery in the United States. The aim of this study was to (a) modify the web platform's features to suit a U.S. population, (b) adapt its functionality to comply with regulatory aspects, and (c) evaluate the credibility and acceptability of the ICBT intervention from the perspective of health care professionals and patients with bothersome tinnitus. Materials/Method:Initially, the iTerapi ePlatform developed in Sweden was adopted for use in the United States. Functional adaptations followed to ensure that the platform's functional and security features complied with both institutional and governmental regulations and that it was suitable for a U.S. population. Following these adaptations, credibility and acceptance of the materials were evaluated by both health care professionals (n = 11) and patients with bothersome tinnitus (n = 8). Results:Software safety and compliance regulatory assessments were met. Health care professionals and patients reported favorable acceptance and satisfaction ratings regarding the content, suitability, presentation, usability, and exercises provided in the ICBT platform. Modifications to the features and functionality of the platform were made according to user feedback. Conclusions:Ensuring that the ePlatform employed the appropriate features and functionalities for the intended population was essential to developing the Internet-based interventions. The favorable user evaluations indicated that the intervention materials were appropriate for the tinnitus population in the United States.

碩士<br>國立臺北護理健康大學<br>聽語障礙科學研究所<br>99<br>The purpose of this study aimed to explore whether tinnitus patients’ acceptance of internal noise (tinnitus) could response to their acceptance of external background noise. This study explored whether the acceptable noise level (ANL) of patients with tinnitus could be affected by tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), and to explore the correlation between change of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores and that of ANL before and after 6-months TRT. There were 19 tinnitus subjects who would receive TRT (experimental group) and 20 tinnitus subjects without TRT (control group) in this study. ANLs of those patients with and without TRT were compared. No significant difference in the ANL result between the two groups was found. THI scores could reflect the degree of patients’ tinnitus distress. Results of this study revealed that the TRT may improve the tinnitus distress, but no significant change in ANL. The correlation between the change of THI scores and that of ANL before and after treatment was positive but not significant (r=0.434, p=0.063). We further analyzed the variation of three THI subscales (functional, emotional and catastrophic subscales), ANL, MCL and BNL, The results showed a significant negative correlation between variation of THI score and that of BNL. Furthermore, THI-functional subscale was positively correlated to variation of ANL (p<0.05), and negatively correlated to variation of BNL (p<0.01) Specific questionnaires are often used clinically to evaluate the degree of tinnitus handicap. However, results of this study demonstrated that the BNL may reflect the tinnitus of adaptation to tinnitus of each subject and his/her acceptance of tinnitus. Although there seemed to be no significant change in ANL after 6-months TRT, variation of THI-functional subscale scores could be observed in this study. The more the functional handicap improvement, the more the patients’ willingness to listen to speech under higher background noise. For the further study we suggest to increase the number of subjects and longer follow-up time to further explore the influence of auditory training on ANL.

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2018<br>INTRODUÇÃO: Os Acúfenos são uma das alterações sensoriais mais frequentes com impacto negativo substancial na qualidade de vida das pessoas que sofrem desta patologia. Atualmente, apesar de ainda não existir uma cura definitiva, existem vários tratamentos do fórum médico e não-médico que visam reduzir a perceção dos acúfenos e, desta forma, melhorar a qualidade de vida dos doentes que sofrem desta condição. Um dos tratamentos promissores é designado de “Tinnitus Retraining Therapy”. A TRT consiste numa conjunção entre aconselhamento e terapia com som, tendo por base o modelo neurofisiológico desenvolvido por Jastreboff há mais de 25 anos atrás. MÉTODOS: Esta revisão bibliográfica teve como referência artigos encontrados na base de dados PubMed. A pesquisa foi realizada com as seguintes palavras: “Tinnitus AND tinnitus retraining therapy”, foi restrita a estudos realizados em humanos e publicados nos últimos 5 anos de onde se obtiveram um total de 22 resultados. Posteriormente, excluiram-se artigos que não estivessem escritos em inglês, pelo que no total foram analisados 19 artigos na pesquisa inicial. Mais tarde, foram analisados mais 19 artigos, considerados relevantes, encontrados nas referências dos artigos da pesquisa inicial. Os 38 artigos analisados nesta revisão bibliográfica são mencionados na bibliografia. RESULTADOS: Apesar de existirem 25 anos de estudos realizados no âmbito dos acufenos, a sua origem e tratamento, este fenómeno continua a ser um enigma em medicina para o qual ainda não existe uma cura definitiva. Vários estudos de estudos não controlados mostram que em 80% dos doentes a TRT reduz o impacto psicológico negativo causado pelos acufenos o que se reflete numa melhoria na qualidade de vida. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de existir literatura que suporta os benefícios da TRT baseada FMLno modelo neurofisiológico de Jastreboff, são necessários estudos randomizados e controlados que suportem esta evidência de forma a ser considerada com mais clareza pela comunidade médica e científica.<br>INTRODUCTION: Tinnitus is one of the most frequent sensory disorders having a considerable negative impact on the quality of life (QoL). Currently, despite remaining an incurable condition, there are various medical and non-medical treatments available with the intent of reducing the perception of tinnitus and therefore improving patient’s quality of life. One of the most promising non-medical treatments is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, an amalgam of counselling and sound therapy, based on neurophysiological model of tinnitus developed by Jastreboff more than 25 years ago. METHODS: This qualitative analytic review was based on data retrieved from the PubMed database. A search with the following terms was performed, “Tinnitus AND tinnitus retraining therapy”, and then narrowed down to studies on humans, published in the last 5 years, giving a total of 22 results. After the exclusion of non-English literature, we had a starting point of 19 papers to which were added 19 sources cited by the results within the first search. All 38 are referenced in this review. RESULTS: Despite all the research on tinnitus over the past 25 years, this phenomenon remains and incurable condition and an enigma in the medical field. Evidence from multiple non-controlled studies shows that TRT has an 80 % success rate decreasing the negative psychological impact of tinnitus, improving patient’s QoL. CONCLUSION: Despite the existing literature supporting TRT and Jastreboff’s neurophysiological model of tinnitus, this therapeutic option is still criticized by independent reviewers that call for randomized controlled trials to support the evidence.

博士<br>國立成功大學<br>醫學工程研究所碩博士班<br>94<br>Subjective tinnitus is a very common symptom in the medical horizon. The prevalence of tinnitus in adults ranges between 10.1 % and 14.5% and evidence shows that tinnitus is positively correlated with age. Despite a variety of therapeutic modalities, quantitative measurement and consistent effective treatment remain elusive in recent years. The phenomenon that tinnitus could be masked with external sounds was initially applied in tinnitus treatment around 1975. The successful masking rate has been reported from 45 % to 69 %. Later, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) was introduced to facilitate the process of tinnitus habituation based on the neurophysiological model of tinnitus and neuroplasticity of auditory nerve system. But there is still uncertainty of these two sound therapies about their long-term effects on auditory system, particularly for these modalities to relieve rather than to cure tinnitus and for their lengthy courses of treatment. 　This research is motivated by the increasing prevalence of tinnitus worldwide and the lack of quantitative evaluation and prescription of tinnitus treatment. With the advent of computer technology, electronics and digital signal processing, new medical techniques are likely to be developed for quantitative evaluation of tinnitus and for quantitative prescription on noise therapy. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to design and develop a clinical useful system for quantitatively investigating the frequency band and intensity of tinnitus noises. More specifically, this research is aimed to (1) design a PC-based platform for evaluation and rehabilitation on tinnitus; (2) develop a prescription program for tinnitus treatment through quantitatively investigating frequency range and intensity parameters of tinnitus characteristics; (3) comparatively evaluate the clinical efficacy of conventional wide-band noises and customized narrow-band noises on tinnitus treatment. This research is to test the hypothesis that through integrated neurophysiological mechanism of tinnitus, auditory neuroplasticity and modern digital signal processing technology, clinical tinnitus can be measured more objectively and treated more effectively. This research is divided into two stages of experiments. Experiment stage I is to design a PC-based tinnitus evaluation system through GUI system programming, which contains a clinical database and four functional modules based on clinical procedure and psychoacoustic reaction of tinnitus. Pure tone threshold functional module is designed to generate pure tones for hearing threshold evaluation. Preset narrow-band noise functional module is designed to provide preset band noises for frequency and loudness matching. Tunable band noise functional module is designed to provide fine tuning for the preset narrow-band noise and Customized noise generator functional module is to generate the digital file of the prescribed noise for tinnitus treatment. System calibration and preliminary clinical application to tinnitus subjects are also conducted. Experiment stage II is to quantitatively investigate the effects of tinnitus parameters on tinnitus. Totally 25subjects suffering from persistent tinnitus were recruited from NCKU Hospital and randomly assigned into the exp. Group (13 subjects) who underwent TRT with sound therapy using customized narrow-band noises and the control group (12 subjects) who underwent TRT with sound therapy using conventional wide-band noises for six months. Two-way ANOVA with one factor repeated measurements is used to statistically analyze the MML and MP of tinnitus psychoacoustic parameters in loudness and THI scores of tinnitus severity from questionnaires. The treatment factor includes exp. and control groups, and the time factor includes 4 levels of before treatment, 2 months, 4 months and 6 months after treatment. The results are used to assess comparatively the clinical efficacy of two groups on tinnitus treatment. 　In experiment stage I, the PC-based prototype of tinnitus evaluation and prescription system has been completely designed. In the tinnitus matching process, the frequency matching rate is 95% (152 out of 160 subjects) and the self-ranked median score is 7 (ranging from 0 to 10). The overall successful matching rate for both frequency and loudness is 83%. The results of regression analysis indicate that the MML is linear to the MP level statistically ( C.C. =0.9 and p< 0.0001). The tinnitus evaluation system is likely to be useful in the tinnitus matching procedure clinically. 　The analytical results of tinnitus psychoacoustic parameters in loudness show that the experiment group has significantly lower both MML and MP dB values than the control group (MML: F=6.7, p=0.016; MP: F= 5.9, p=0.023). The time effects are significant on both MML and MP dB values (p < 0.05). The results from Sheffe’s multiple comparison of post test indicate that the MML dB values of both after four- and six-months treatments are significantly lower than that of before treatment (p < 0.05) for the experiment and control groups. The MP dB value after six-months treatment is significantly lower than that of before treatment in the experiment group, but there is no time effect on the MP value for the control group. There is no interaction between time and treatment factors (MML: F= 0.724, p = 0.541; MP: F= 2.151, p = 0.102). 　The THI score of experiment group is not significantly different from that of control group (p > 0.05). The time effects are significant on the THI scores for both groups. The results from Sheffe’s multiple comparison of post test indicate that the THI scores of both after four- and six-months treatments are significantly lower than that of before treatment (p < 0.05) for the experiment and control groups. There was no interaction between time and treatment factors (F= 0.476, p = 0.7). With the help of a digital tinnitus evaluation system with well-developed matching protocol, subjective tinnitus can be more assessed objectively and quantitatively. This system is proved to be reliable and feasible in clinical use. Derived from tinnitus matching parameters in frequency and intensity, customized noise could be applied to the sound therapy for Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. Conclusively, customized narrow-band noises are more effective in lowering tinnitus loudness and may provide a viable treatment option of tinnitus.

The diploma thesis is dealing with the issue of tinnitus which is defined as the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound. The thesis describes classification, etiology, symptomatology, diagnosis and therapy of tinnitus. The focus lies particularly in the description of various therapeutic approaches. Empirical part of the thesis presents the case studies of 12 respondents with tinnitus. Using qualitative research methods, the answers received from German respondents from Hesse region are compared to the answers of respondents living in the Czech Republic. The research focuses on the tinnitus diagnose, cooperation with experts, possibilities of therapy and their results, ways of funding, satisfaction of respondents with the therapy and contribution of self-help group for people with tinnitus.

Subjektiver Tinnitus ist eine akustische Phantomwahrnehmung, d.h. ohne das Vorhandensein einer externen oder internen Geräuschquelle. Diese oft sehr belastende Störung steht aktuellen Studien zufolge in einem Zusammenhang mit pathologisch gesteigerter Aktivität und Erregbarkeit zentral-nervöser auditorischer Strukturen. Derartige Hyperaktivitäten und –exzitabilitäten konnten bereits experimentell durch eine repetitive transkranielle Magnetstimulation (rTMS) reduziert werden. Die vorliegende randomisierte, Placebo-kontrollierte Studie ging zwei Fragestellungen nach. Erstens sollte geprüft werden, ob sich das Aktivierungsmuster auf akustische Stimulation im auditorischen Kortex bei Tinnituspatienten von dem gesunder Kontrollpersonen unterscheidet. Zweitens sollte untersucht werden, ob durch eine rTMS eine Tinnitussymptomatik verbessert werden kann und dies in Form einer reduzierten kortikalen Hyperaktivität auch mit der Nah-Infrarot Spektroskopie (NIRS) nachweisbar ist. In der Verum-Gruppe wurden an 10 aufeinanderfolgenden Werktagen täglich je 2000 Stimuli mit einer Frequenz von 1 Hz über dem linken auditorischen Kortex appliziert. Die Tinnitussymptomatik wurde mit dem Tinnitusfragebogen nach Göbel &amp; Hiller (TFB), dem Tinnitus-Handicap-Inventory-Score (THI) und dem Tinnitus-Schweregrad-Fragebogen (TSG) erfasst. Die NIRS-Messungen erfolgten vor und direkt nach der letzten Stimulation mit zwei verschiedenen akustischen Paradigmen und einer motorischen Kontrollaufgabe. Es konnten deutliche Unterschiede bezüglich des Aktivierungsmusters auf akustische Stimulation im auditorischen Kortex zwischen den Tinnituspatienten und gesunden Kontrollpersonen gefunden werden. Die Tinnituspatienten zeigten signifikant stärkere Aktivierungen als die gesunden Kontrollpersonen. Diese Ergebnisse unterstützen die „Hyperexzitabilitätstheorie“ von Melcher et al. (2009). Ferner konnte, wie in der Studie von Melcher et al. (2009), kein Zusammenhang zwischen der Tinnituslateralisation und dem Aktivierungsmuster gefunden werden. Bezüglich der Effektivität der rTMS gegenüber einer Placebo-Stimulation ließ sich kein eindeutiger Therapieerfolg nachweisen. Es konnte zwar anhand von NIRS-Messungen gezeigt werden, dass die rTMS eine kortikale Hyperexzitabilität stärker reduzierte als die Placebo-Stimulation. Es ließ sich jedoch kein Zusammenhang zwischen der geringeren Hyperexzitabilität und einer verbesserten Tinnitussymptomatik finden. Da jedoch die Fallzahlen dieser Studie klein waren, sollten diese Ergebnisse mit Vorsicht interpretiert werden. Außerdem deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass die NIRS eine erfolgversprechende Methode für den objektiven Nachweis Tinnitus-assoziierter zentral-nervöser Veränderungen und möglicherweise auch von Therapieeffekten ist. Sie bietet zahlreiche Vorteile gegenüber anderen bildgebenden Methoden: sie ist einfach in der Handhabung, wiederholt anwendbar, risikoarm, preisgünstig und nicht invasiv. Um die NIRS jedoch als etablierte Nachweismethode in der Klinik einsetzen zu können, sollten weitere Studien mit größeren Fallzahlen generiert werden. Auch sollten optimierte, allgemeingültige akustische Stimulationsparadigmen gefunden werden, um die Ergebnisse künftiger Studien besser miteinander vergleichen zu können<br>Subjective Tinnitus is an acoustic phantom perception, i.e. without an external or internal source. According to the latest studies this mostly distressing complex of symptoms is related to a pathologically enhanced activity and excitability in central structures of the auditory system which could have been reduced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in clinical trials. This randomized, placebo-controlled study followed two questions. Firstly, the activity of the auditory cortex after acoustic stimulation in patients with chronic tinnitus was compared with the activity measured in healthy volunteers. Secondly, the study tried to evaluate, if a tinnitus could be reduced by rTMS and if this effect could be shown as a reduced cortical activity using NIRS. In the verum group 2000 pulses with a frequency of 1Hz were daily applied over the left auditory cortex on 10 consecutive weekdays. The severity of tinnitus was categorized by questionaires, such as Tinnitus-Fragebogen nach Goebel &amp; Hiller (TFB), Tinnitus-Handicap-Inventory-Score (THI) and Tinnitus-Schweregrad-Fragebogen (TSG). The NIRS measurements proceeded before and immediately after the last rTMS during the presentation of two different acoustic stimulation patterns and one motoric task. This study could show considerable differences comparing the activation of the auditory cortex after acoustic stimulation in patients with chronic tinnitus and healthy volunteers. The activation in patients with chronic tinnitus was significantly higher compared to the healthy volunteers. These results support the “Theory of Hyperexcitability” invented by Melcher et al. (2009). Additionally, like Melcher et al. (2009), this study could not show a dependence of the cortical activation on the tinnitus lateralisation. This study could not show a significant benefit of the rTMS compared to the placebo stimulation. Though the NIRS measurements showed a reduced cortical hyperexcitability after the verum stimulation, this effect could not be related to a reduced tinnitus. However, these results should be interpreted carefully as the numbers of treated patients was very little. Furthermore this studie’s results suggest that NIRS is a promising, objective proof procedure for tinnitus related changes in central auditory structures and potentially even for therapeutical effects. Its’ benefits are: simple handling, repeatability, low-risk, low running costs and non-invasiveness. In order to use NIRS as an established method in clinical settings more studies including numerous patients should be generated. Furthermore optimized, universally valid acoustic stimulation patterns should be created and broadly used to be able to compare the different studies’ results

Der subjektive Tinnitus ist ein Symptom unterschiedlicher Ursachen. Trotz vielversprechender Ansätze und deutlicher Fortschritte beim Verständnis der Pathophysiologie konnte sich bislang keine einheitliche Therapie durchsetzen. Es gibt ein Vielzahl von Therapieansätzen, deren klinische Wirksamkeit häufig nicht ausreichend untersucht sind. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es deshalb, eine Bilanz zur Anwendung des modifizierten antiphlogistisch-rheologischen Stennert-Schemas und des Infusionsschemas mit Procain bei der Behandlung des subjektiven Tinnitus (mit oder ohne begleitende Hörminderung) zu ziehen. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit erfolgte deshalb eine retrospektive Auswertung von 281 Patienten, die im Zeitraum vom 01.01.1997 bis 14.12.2000 an der Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde der Universität Würzburg behandelt wurden. In einem zweitem Schritt wurden das modifizierte antiphlogistisch-rheologische Infusionsschema nach Stennert und das Infusionsschema mit Procain gegenüber einem Placebo (NaCl-Infusionen) im Rahmen einer prospektiven Studie untersucht. Dabei handelte es sich um die erste prospektive, randomisierte Doppelblindstudie zum Tinnitus, die verschiedene Infusionsschemata gegenüber einer Placebomedikation untersuchte. In der prospektiven Untersuchung lagen Ergebnisse von 34 Patienten vor, die in der Zeit vom 05.08.1999 bis 20.07.2002 behandelt wurden. Im retrospektiven Kollektiv zeigte sich bei der Behandlung akuter Ohrgeräusche mit dem modifizierten Stennert-Schema bei 45 (21%) der 216 Patienten eine Vollremission und bei 58% (n=125) der Fälle verringerte sich die Tinnituslautheit. In der Procain-Therapiegruppe wurde bei 60% (n=15) der 25 Patienten im retrospektiven Untersuchungsteil eine Abnahme der Tinnituslautheit beobachtet (Vollremission bei 4%; n=1). Bei 40 Patienten der retrospektiven Untersuchung mit chronischem Tinnitus konnte mit dem modifizierten Stennert-Schema bei 50% (n=16) und mit Procaininfusionen bei 63% (n=5) der Patienten eine Verringerung der Tinnituslautheit erzielt werden. Dabei sistierte bei 6% (n=2) der Patienten aus der mod. Stennert-Therapiegruppe das Ohrgeräusch komplett. Die Patienten im retrospektiven Kollektiv mit einer Hörminderung zeigten nach der Therapie mit dem mod. Stennert-Schema eine durchschnittliche Hörerho-lung von 18,7 dB. Bei 29% (n=26) dieser Patienten erholte sich das Hörvermö-gen vollständig und 44% (n=40) hatten eine Teilerholung. In der Procain-Therapiegruppe konnte bei Patienten mit einer Hörminderung eine Besserung in 71% der Fälle (n=5) registriert werden, eine Restitutio ad Integrum wurde nicht beobachtet. Das Hörvermögen erholte sich in dieser Therapiegruppe im Durchschnitt um 20,0 dB. 42 Patienten des retrospektiven Kollektivs, die initial mit dem mod. Stennert-Schema therapiert wurden, unterzogen sich einer Anschlussbehandlung mit Procain. Bei 45% (n=19) der Patienten verringerte sich das Ohrgeräusch, ein Sistieren des Tinnitus trat dabei nicht auf. Auf das Therapieergebnis hatte die Zeitspanne zwischen Symptom- und Therapiebeginn einen hochsignifikanten Einfluss (p=0,00002). Je eher mit der Infusionstherapie begonnen wurde, desto günstiger war die Prognose. Die besten Therapieergebnisse zeigten sich bei Latenzzeiten von weniger als 24 Stunden. Lagen zwischen Symptom- und Therapiebeginn über 28 Tage, zeigten sich Behandlungsergebnisse wie bei einem chronischen Tinnitus. Alio loco vorbehandelte Patienten zeigten schlechtere Therapieergebnisse als Patienten ohne vorherige Therapie (p=0,00003). Bei Patienten mit einem Tinnitusrezidiv lag der Anteil an Vollremissionen deutlich unter dem erstmalig erkrankter Patienten. Dies war statistisch jedoch nicht signifikant. Keinen Ein-fluss auf die Prognose hatten hingegen das Alter und Geschlecht der Patienten. Im prospektiven Untersuchungsteil konnte durch die Infusionstherapie mit dem mod. Stennert-Schema bei 57% (n=8) der 34 Patienten eine Restitutio ad Integrum und bei 43% (n=6) der Fälle eine Teilremission des Tinnitus erzielt werden. In der Procain-Therapiegruppe zeigten 50% (n=4) der Patienten eine Vollremission und 25% (n=2) der Fälle eine Teilremission. In der Kontrollgruppe mit NaCl kam es nur bei 16% (n=2) der Fälle zu einer Vollremission und bei 42% (n=5) der Patienten zu einer Teilremission des Tinnitus. Auch die Veränderung des WHF-Scores konnte die besseren Ergebnisse in der mod. Stennert-Therapiegruppe (Besserung von 15,8 Gra-den) und in der Procain-Therapiegruppe (Besserung von 14,5) darlegen. In der NaCl-Therapiegruppe fand sich nur eine Besserung um 9,8 Grade. 15 Patienten der prospektiven Untersuchung hatten einen Tinnitus und gleichzeitig eine akute Hörminderung. Nach der Infusionstherapie mit dem mod. Stennert-Schema verbesserte sich das Hörvermögen im Durchschnitt um 22,0 dB. In der Procain-Therapiegruppe ergab sich eine durchschnittliche Hörverbesserung um 22,8 dB, und in der NaCl-Therapiegruppe zeigte sich eine Verbesserung des Hörvermögens um 15,4 dB. Die Infusionstherapie mit dem modifizierten antiphlogistisch-rheologischen Stennert-Schemas und dem Infusionsschemas mit Procain waren gut verträg-lich. Nebenwirkungen, die einen Abbruch der Behandlung erfordert hätten, traten nicht auf. Die hier vorgestellten Therapieergebnisse zeigen deutlich, dass das modifizierte antiphlogistisch-rheologische Infusionsschema nach Stennert eine gute Wirksamkeit bei der Behandlung von Ohrgeräuschen hat. Dabei ist diese Wirkung einem Placebo deutlich überlegen. Das Infusionsschema mit Procain stellt eine zusätzliche Therapieoption bei chronischem Tinnitus, sowie als Anschlußbehandlung nach erfolgter Behandlung mit dem modifizierten Stennert-Schema dar<br>Subjective tinnitus is a symptom having various causes. In spite of promising approaches and significant progress in the understanding of pathophysiology, no therapy has been able to achieve uniform acceptance. There are many therapeutic approaches, whose clinical effectiveness often have not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this project was therefore to draw conclusions for the use of the modified antiphlogistic-rheologic Stennert scheme and the infusion scheme using Procain for the treatment of subjective tinnitus (with or without accompanying hearing deficits). Within the scope of the present work, there has been a retrospective evaluation of 281 patients who were treated in the period from 1 January 1997 to 14 December 2000 in the ENT clinics of the University of Würzburg, Germany. In a second step, the modified antiphlogistic-rheologic infusion scheme (according to Stennert) and the infusion scheme using Procain were investigated in comparison to a placebo (NaCl infusions) in the scope of a prospective study. This was the first prospective, randomized double-blind study of tinnitus to investigate different infusion schemes versus a placebo medication. For the prospective investigation, results from 34 patients who were treated in the period from 5 August 1999 to 20 July 2002 were available. The retrospective collection showed a complete remission in 45 (21%) of the 216 patients for treatment of acute tinnitus with the modified Stennert scheme, and in 58% (n=125) of the cases the tinnitus volume was reduced. In the Procain therapy group, a reduction in the tinnitus volume was observed for 60% (n=25) of the 25 patients in the retrospectively investigated section (complete remission for 4%; n=1). For the 40 patients with chronic tinnitus in the retrospective investigation, a reduction in the tinnitus volume was achieved in 50% (n=16) with the modified Stennert scheme, and in 63% (n=5) with Procain infusions. The tinnitus ceased completely for 6% (n=2) of the patients in the modified Stennert group. The patients with hearing deficits in the retrospective collection exhibited an average of 18.7 dB in recovered hearing ability after therapy with the modified Stennert scheme. In 29% (n=26) of these patients, the hearing ability recovered completely, and 44% (n=40) had a partial recovery. In the Procain therapy group, a recovery could be observed in 71% (n=5) of the cases with patients having hearing deficits; a restitutio ad integrum (complete recovery) was not observed. The hearing ability recovered by an average of 20.0 dB in this therapy group. 42 patients in the retrospective collection who were initially treated with the modified Stennert scheme subsequently underwent a treatment with Procain. In 45% (n=19) of the patients the tinnitus decreased, a ceasing of the tinnitus did not occur. The period of time between the onset of symptoms and therapy had a highly significant influence (p=0.00002) on the results of the therapy. As much as the infusion therapy could be started earlier, so was the prognosis improved. The best therapy results occurred with latency periods less than 24 hours. If more than 28 days passed between onset of symptoms and the start of therapy, treatments exhibited results just as for a chronic tinnitus. Patients who had undergone alio loco pre-treatment exhibited worse therapy results than patients without previous treatment (p=0.00003). In patients with a tinnitus relapse, the percentage of complete remissions was significantly lower than for patients with first-time illnesses, although this was statistically insignificant. The age and gender of the patients had no influence on prognoses. In the prospective section of the investigation, a restitutio ad integrum (complete recovery) could be achieved in 57% (n=8) of the 34 patients with the infusion therapy using the modified Stennert scheme, and a partial tinnitus remission in 43% (n=6) of the cases. In the Procain therapy group, 50% (n=4) of the patients exhibited a complete remission, and 25% (n=2) of the cases showed a partial remission. In the control group with NaCl, a complete remission was exhibited in only 16% (n=2) of the cases, and 42% (n=5) of the patients showed a partial tinnitus remission. The improved results were also demonstrated by the alteration of WHF scores in the modified Stennert scheme (improvement of 15.8 degrees) and in the Procain therapy group (improvement of 14.5 degrees). In the NaCl therapy group the improvement was only 9.8 degrees. 15 patients from the prospective investigation had simultaneously tinnitus and an acute hearing deficiency. After infusion therapy with the modified Stennert scheme, the hearing ability was improved by an average of 22.0 dB. In the Procain therapy group, there was an average hearing ability improvement of 22.8 dB, and the NaCl therapy group exhibited an improvement in hearing ability of 15.4 dB. The infusion therapy with the modified antiphlogistic-rheological Stennert scheme and the infusion schemes using Procain were well tolerated. Side effects that would have required a cessation of treatment did not occur. The therapy results presented here clearly show that the modified antiphlogistic-rheological Stennert infusion scheme has good effectiveness for the treatment of tinnitus, and the effect is clearly superior that of a placebo. The infusion scheme using Procain represents an additional therapy option for chronic tinnitus, as well as for subsequent therapy after therapy using the modified Stennert scheme