https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7581-8489
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Abstract
Background
The effectiveness of hearing aids for tinnitus patients without hearing loss in conversation-comprehension range and inconvenience in daily communication is unknown.
Objective
We aimed to evaluate their therapeutic effect.
Materials and methods
We included 91 patients with average hearing levels <30 dBHL. To determine the effects, self-reported questionnaires were used. Data were collected at the entry and 3 months (n = 91) and 1 year (n = 70) after treatment initiation.
Results
All scores (mean ± standard deviation) decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) from before treatment to 3 months and 1 year after treatment: tinnitus handicap inventory score: from 56 ± 21 to 17 ± 17 and 13 ± 15; visual analogue scale (VAS) score for tinnitus loudness: from 71 ± 20 to 31 ± 26 and 28 ± 29; VAS score for tinnitus annoyance: 79 ± 20 to 27 ± 25 and 26 ± 30, respectively. Approximately 90% of patients noticed improvements in tinnitus annoyance and loudness, as determined by the questionnaires regarding subjective symptom improvement.
Conclusions
Hearing aids may be useful for tinnitus patients without hearing loss and inconvenience in daily communication.
Significance
Our findings provide a treatment option for tinnitus patients with an average hearing level of <30 dBHL.
Chinese abstract
背景：助听器对于在会话理解范围内没有听力损失和日常交流不便的耳鸣患者的有效性尚不清楚。
目的：评估助听器的治疗效果。
材料和方法：我们纳入了 91 名平均听力水平 < 0.0001) 的患者。从治疗前到治疗后 3 个月和 1 年：耳鸣障碍量表评分：从 56±21 到 17±17 和 13±15；耳鸣响度的视觉模拟量表 (VAS) 评分：从 71 ± 20 到 31 ± 26 和 28 ± 29；耳鸣烦恼的 VAS 评分：分别为 79 ± 20 至 27 ± 25 和 26 ± 30。根据主观症状改善的问卷, 大约 90% 的患者注意到耳鸣烦恼和响度有所改善。
结论：助听器可能对没有听力损失和日常交流不便的耳鸣患者有用。
意义：我们的研究结果为平均听力水平 <30 dBHL 的耳鸣患者提供了一种治疗选择。
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Editage (www.editage.jp) for English language editing.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.