Evaluation of tinnitus masker using pure tone audiometry in patients with chronic tinnitus

Tinnitus that is long-standing alters the experience and quality of life related to hearing, which means that good treatments for this condition such as tinnitus masker therapy should be established. This study aims to assess the inner ear function of tinnitus patients using pure tone audiometry. It also evaluates tinnitus maskers for relief from symptoms, focusing on phonic parameter control. The study compares the tinnitus reduction gained from masker adjustment with changes in inner ear function using pure tone audiometry. The relationship between tinnitus maskers and sound functions is also investigated using behavioral modification tactics. Hearing tests include pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, pitch-match, loudness-match, residual inhibition pre and post treatment at the Dr. Bashar Naji Center, Baghdad, Iraq. This involved a 6-week therapy with individualized tinnitus maskers for treatment of the symptoms among the participants. The assessment was done by the changes observed in audiology and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. The collected data were analyzed by using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS v28) through paired t-test and correlation coefficients, and at a p≤0.05 level of significance. The ethical approval as well as informed consent were sought before the conduct of the study. The study evaluated the effects of tinnitus masker therapy on auditory perception and tinnitus characteristics in 31 participants (average age: 49.33±7.53 years). Tinnitus was unilateral in one ear for 83% of patients and bilateral for 17% of patients. Finally, some changes were measured in tinnitus pitch and minimum masking level (MML) for each ear after three months of therapy. For the right ear, pitch came down from 6687±2840 Hz to 6139±2942 Hz (p=0.04942), and MML was reduced from 6.93±2.98 to 5.04±2.05 (p=0.03652). The right change was from 6527±3842 to 6044±2812 (p=0.4037) and MML declined from 6.19±2.43 to 5.32±2.43 (p=0.3921). Tinnitus distress level reduced in both the ear with significant improvement noted on the left side (6.22±3.29 to 5.11±2.13); p<0.05. Therapeutic modification of the affected ear revealed slightly better air conduction thresholds reflecting lesser tinnitus interference with the hearing system. There were no changes in bone conduction thresholds which suggested that masking therapy does not effect the sensorineural system. In total, the therapy reduced pitch, loudness and MML of tinnitus, thereby increasing auditory comfort and mental well-being in patients affected by chronic tinnitus. Tinnitus masker therapy has effectively lowered pitch and minimal masking levels in chronic tinnitus patients, indicating better auditory experience and life quality. Inter-ear differences in therapeutic effects were anticipated to stress that every individual requires a unique approach to maximize therapeutic benefits and consider different ears as potential treatment targets.