Dr. Lars Haab, Homburg/Saar
Video 13
“Tinnitus treatment using hearing aids: A long-term study”
Recent evidence from tinnitus research showed that the suppression of neural hyperactivity by lateral inhibition using tailor-made notch filtering is a promising approach to support tinnitus treatments. This therapeutic approach to chronic subjective tinnitus is also known as tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT). For the present study, we conducted a six-month tinnitus treatment based on a new notched amplification gain therapy implemented in hearing aids. In particular, we analysed this new approach using a double-blind pre-/post therapy evaluation in 34 hearing impaired tinnitus patients suffering from tonal tinnitus (15 placebo controls, 19 patients with notched amplification).
Outcome measures consisted of a widely
accepted psychometric instrument (i.e. Goebel & Hiller’s TQ 52 questionnaire) and an objective measure based on EEG activity. Results obtained after three and six months showed a significant benefit for the treatment group compared to the placebo control group. It therefore seems safe to conclude that implementing the tailor-made notch amplification therapy in hearing aids
supports tinnitus treatment.