49 research outputs found
The effect of middle ear stiffness changes on noise hearing thresholds in presence of a high level background pure tone
No full textCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Managing Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, and Misophonia: The 2025 Tonndorf Lecture
No full textCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based intervention for managing distress associated with tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia. This paper summarises key points from the 2025 Tonndorf Lecture presented at the third World Tinnitus Congress and the 14th International Tinnitus Seminar in Poland. The lecture addressed (1) the theoretical foundations of CBT for these conditions, (2) clinical evidence on CBT delivered by psychologists, audiologists, and digital self-help, and (3) the proportion of patients who may benefit from CBT. Research demonstrates that CBT can effectively reduce distress related to tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia. Both psychologist- and audiologist-delivered CBT approaches have demonstrated significant improvements in reducing the impact of tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia on patients’ quality of life, while guided internet-based CBT also demonstrates positive outcomes. Unguided internet-based CBT is also effective, though it faces challenges such as higher dropout rates. Despite these promising results, not all patients experience the same level of benefit. Some continue to experience distress even after completing CBT, highlighting the need for alternative or complementary interventions and ongoing support. This paper estimates that approximately 1 in 52 individuals with tinnitus require CBT, indicating that while tinnitus is relatively common, the need for intensive therapy is comparatively small. To enhance treatment outcomes, future research should compare the effectiveness of psychologist- and audiologist-delivered CBT, explore hybrid models that combine face-to-face and digital interventions, and address challenges with internet-based CBT, particularly for hyperacusis and misophonia. Furthermore, incorporating neuroimaging and physiological measures in future randomised controlled trials could provide objective insights into the neural mechanisms underlying symptom improvement, ultimately helping to refine CBT interventions. Identifying characteristics of non-responders to CBT may also guide the development of more tailored therapeutic approaches
Insights from the First International Conference on Hyperacusis: causes, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
No full textThe First International Conference on Hyperacusis gathered over 100 scientists and health care professionals in London, UK. Key conclusions from the conference included: (1) Hyperacusis is characterized by reduced tolerance of sound that has perceptual, psychological and social dimensions; (2) there is a growing awareness that children as well as adults experience symptoms of hyperacusis or misophonia; (3) the exact mechanisms that give rise to hyperacusis are not clear, but the available evidence suggests that functional changes within the central nervous system are important and in particular, hyperacusis may be related to increased gain in the central auditory pathways and to increased anxiety or emotional response to sound; (4) various counseling and sound therapy approaches seem beneficial in the management of hyperacusis, but the evidence base for these remains poor
The value of routine real ear measurement of the gain of digital hearing aids.
No full textThe main aims of this study were: (1) to determine whether routine real ear insertion gain (REIG) measurement is necessary in fitting digital hearing aids; and (2) to assess the extent to which modifying the frequency-gain response of an aid can lead to better matches to the target in cases where the target gain was not initially achieved. The target formula was selected as NAL-NL1 in the programming software of four types of digital hearing aids. REIG measurements on 42 ears showed that 64% of cases failed to come within +/-10 dB of the target at one or more of the following frequencies: 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 kHz. After adjusting the frequency-gain response of the aids, based on the REIG results, 83% of cases came within +/-10 dB of the target. The target was met more often, both before and after adjustment, for aids with seven gain "handles" than for aids with four gain "handles". The results indicate that REIG measurements can and should be used to achieve more accurate fittings but that accurate adjustments are difficult with some aids
Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Insights from Health Care Professionals
No full textGabapentin for tinnitus: A systematic review
No full textObjective The main aim of this study was to assess the effect of gabapentin on tinnitus via a systematic review. Data Sources An electronic search of literature as well as a hand search was conducted. Study Selection Only double-blind randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that met all of the inclusion criteria were included to this review. Two studies that met the inclusion criteria were included to the review. 14 studies were excluded. Data Extraction The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias was used for quality assessment of the included studies. Data Synthesis Due to inadequate details in reporting the data in the included studies conducting a meta-analysis was not appropriate. Hence, qualitative synthesis and interpretation of the data was carried out. Conclusions The authors of the both studies reported that gabapentin was not superior to placebo in their primary outcomes. Following the assessment of risk of bias, one of the included studies was judged to be at high risk of attrition bias and reporting bias and the other one was judged to have low risk of bias. There were significant within-study clinical heterogeneities with regard to the baseline Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores, duration of tinnitus as well as severity of hearing loss in the included trails. This is important because a treatment effective in a specific subgroup of tinnitus may not be detectable when tested in a heterogeneous population. This review concludes that there is insufficient evidence regarding the effect of gabapentin on tinnitus. Key words: Tinnitus, gabapentin, systematic review, hearing impairmentObjective The main aim of this study was to assess the effect of gabapentin on tinnitus via a systematic review. Data Sources An electronic search of literature as well as a hand search was conducted. Study Selection Only double-blind randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that met all of the inclusion criteria were included to this review. Two studies that met the inclusion criteria were included to the review. 14 studies were excluded. Data Extraction The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias was used for quality assessment of the included studies. Data Synthesis Due to inadequate details in reporting the data in the included studies conducting a meta-analysis was not appropriate. Hence, qualitative synthesis and interpretation of the data was carried out. Conclusions The authors of the both studies reported that gabapentin was not superior to placebo in their primary outcomes. Following the assessment of risk of bias, one of the included studies was judged to be at high risk of attrition bias and reporting bias and the other one was judged to have low risk of bias. There were significant within-study clinical heterogeneities with regard to the baseline Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores, duration of tinnitus as well as severity of hearing loss in the included trails. This is important because a treatment effective in a specific subgroup of tinnitus may not be detectable when tested in a heterogeneous population. This review concludes that there is insufficient evidence regarding the effect of gabapentin on tinnitus. Key words: Tinnitus, gabapentin, systematic review, hearing impairmen
The Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire Version 2.0 (SSSQ2) as a Screening Tool for Assessment of Hyperacusis, Misophonia and Noise Sensitivity: Factor Analysis, Validity, Reliability, and Minimum Detectable Change
No full textBackground/Objectives: The Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire version 2 (SSSQ2) is a brief clinical tool with six items designed to be used (1) as a measure for severity of sound sensitivity symptoms in general (based on its total score) and (2) as a checklist to screen different forms of sound sensitivity. The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the SSSQ2. Method: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 451 people completed the online survey. A total of 154 people completed the survey twice with a two-week interval to establish test–retest reliability. The average age of the participants was 36.5 years (range 18 to 86 years). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the SSSQ2 is a one-factor questionnaire. Cronbach’s α was 0.80. The test–retest reliability was good for the total SSSQ2 score and was moderate for the sum of items 1 and 3 (indicating loudness hyperacusis), item 2 (for pain hyperacusis), item 4 (for misophonia), item 5 (for fear hyperacusis), and item 6 (for noise sensitivity). The minimum amount of change that constitutes a true change in the total SSSQ2 score is ≥5 points. Conclusions: The SSSQ2 can be used in clinical practice or research setting to measure the severity of general sound sensitivity as a one-factor questionnaire with acceptable internal consistency and good reliability. In addition, the individual items in the SSSQ2 can be used as a checklist to screen for various forms of sound sensitivity
Audiological Rehabilitation for Facilitating Hearing Aid Use: A Review.
No full textPURPOSE: This article reviews and critically analyzes the design of studies on the effect of audiological rehabilitation (AR) programs on hearing aid (HA) outcomes, in order to guide future research. RESEARCH DESIGN: The design of this study was a narrative review. Studies were included in the review if they were randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of AR on HA use and outcome between 2000 and 2016. RESULTS: Seven articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Most used educational rather than counseling approaches. Although educational AR programs seem to be useful in enhancing the use of communication strategies, there is limited evidence for their effect on HA use and self-perceived hearing handicap. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed in this field. Future studies should (1) investigate the efficacy of AR interventions based on counseling and empathetic listening as opposed to or in addition to educational interventions, (2) use stricter criteria to include only a subpopulation of patients who do not get on well with their HAs, (3) measure the amount of HA use via data-logging and self-report questionnaires, and (4) use a matching comparison intervention for patients in the control group
