Masking treatment and its effect on tinnitus parameters

IV. ABSTRACT MASKING TREATMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON TINNITUS PARAMETERS İsmail AYTAÇ MD Residency Thesis, Department of Head and Neck Surgery Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Elif BAYSAL MD August 2014, 64 page Objective: Tinnitus is described as the perception of sound without any external acoustic stimulation. Any pathology of auditory pathways or any system of the human body may result with tinnitus. The pathophysiology of tinnitus accompanying the disorders of auditory system is not fully understood. Although there are many treatment methods in research have been applied for many years has not specified as the exact effective treatment. Tinnitus masking therapy is an effective treatment modality in the treatment of tinnitus, and in particular the short-term efficacy may be better. In this study, the clinical treatment of tinnitus and tinnitus masking effect on the parameters were evaluated prospectively. Patients and methods: Patients with normal physical examination tested with complete blood count, biochemical tests and thyroid function tests, pure tone audiometry, tympanometry middle ear pressure and stapedial reflexes were normal in patients with tinnitus were included in the study. Subjective tinnitus which 66 patients were included in the study. Tinnitus sufferers questionnaires (socio-demographics, clinical information, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was filled, audiological tests were performed, tinnitus parameters (frequency, intensity, minimal masking levels, residual inhibition) were measured. After four weeks of the treatment the questionnaires were repeated. Results: Masking treatment fort he tinnitus patients resulted with significant decrease in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and VAS scores. After four weeks of the masking treatment the questionnaire was repeated. Twenty patients did not respond to treatment. Conclusion: Masking therapy is one of the most effective methods of treatment for tinnitus patients. Masking therapy, that is not invasive and cost is an important place in the treatment of tinnitus. Especially in a short time has provided a significant reduction in tinnitus parameters. Key Words: Tinnitus, Masking Therapy.