A novel PC based system for evaluation and management of tinnitus using masking

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a system, using a PC with a soundboard,for tinnitus evaluation, and patient-specific masking sound generation. The system wastested on 98 patients who presented w~th severe tinnitus in the otolalyngologic clinic of thePendik State Hospital during the first five months of 1994, ranged in age from 23 to 82(mean age of 53.3). To compare the effectiveness and acceptability of masking of tinnitus,white noise, custom-made narrow-band noise and placebo were used.The duration of tinnitus varied from one to 30 years (mean of 4.5 years). 26 (26.5per cent) patients were satisfied with reassurance, examinations and investigation of tinnitus,requiring no further treatment.Patients listened to PC-generated white nOIse, individually tailored narrow bandnoise and placebo recorded on cassette tapes at the lowest masking level for three weeks.37 patients completed the trial. Three patients (8.1 per cent) found white noise moreeffective. 34 patients (91. 9 per cent) found both the individually tailored narrow-band noiseand the white noise effective; but they prefered individually tailored narrow band noise;because the narrow band noise sounded more effective and pleasant to them. No patientfound the placebo effective.The study indicated that masking of tinnitus using custom-made narrow-band noisesgenerated by the system developed, was very effective for the relief of severe tinnitus.