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J Am Acad Audiol 2021; 32(07): 420-425
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1728701
Research Article

Notched and Nonnotched Stimuli Are Equally Effective at the Mixing-Point Level in Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Relief

In-Ki Jin
1   Division of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Research Institute of Audiology and Speech Pathology, College of Natural Sciences, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
,
Soon-Je Choi
2   Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Graduate School, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
,
Minseung Ku
2   Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Graduate School, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
› Author Affiliations
Funding This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean government (Ministry of Science and ICT; Grant NRF-2018R1C1B6003765).
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Abstract

Background Broadband noise (nonnotched) and notched noise are common sound sources in sound therapy for tinnitus relief. Studies on sound therapy using nonnotched or notched stimuli have reported large and small tinnitus improvements depending on the participant. However, the more effective sound source remains unclear given the among-study methodology differences.

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the tinnitus relief effects of sound therapy using stimuli with different spectral characteristics.

Research Design This was a prospective study involving within-subject (baseline vs. 12-month follow-up) measurements for two groups (notched noise group vs. broadband noise group).

Study Sample We enrolled 30 adults with subjective and tonal tinnitus (notched noise group: 16, broadband noise group: 14).

Intervention The participants underwent 3-hour daily sound therapy using either notched noise or broadband noise for 12 months. The stimulus level for sound therapy was set to each participant's mixing point.

Data Collection and Analysis Tinnitus loudness and the Korean version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire score were measured at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up time point.

Results Both groups showed a significant improvement in tinnitus loudness and the Korean version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire score.

Conclusion Notched and nonnotched stimuli are equally effective at the mixing point in sound therapy for tinnitus relief. Individuals with difficulties in tinnitus frequency measurement could easily undergo sound therapy using nonnotched stimuli.

Keywords

tinnitus - sound therapy - broadband noise - notched noise

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the institutional review board of Hallym University (HIRB-2018–054-RCRR). Further, each participant received a written explanation of the aims, protocol, and procedures of the study, as well as provided written informed consent before participating.


Note

Pilot data of this paper will be presented at the American Auditory Society Annual Meeting (2021) as a poster presentation. This paper has not been submitted to any journals.


Disclaimer

Any mention of a product, service, or procedure in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology does not constitute an endorsement of the product, service, or procedure by the American Academy of Audiology.




Publication History

Received: 23 January 2021

Accepted: 05 March 2021

Article published online:
25 May 2021

© 2021. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

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