Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined hearing and tinnitus masking devices that are appropriately programmed for acoustic stimulations using wide-band noise over the specific frequency range of tinnitus. Material and Methods: A total of 21 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group I (12 patients) was managed with betahistine dihydrochloride (2HCl) and fitted either with a combined hearing aid or a sound generator, and group II (9 patients) was treated with betahistine 2HCl for 3 months. Audiological tests, pitch matching to determine the frequency of tinnitus, an assessment of tinnitus severity, and subjective scores (visual analog scale, VAS; Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire) were used to assess the patients in both groups, and a loudness scale was also analyzed in group I. The results were evaluated in a double-blinded manner. Results: Significant decreases in the severity of tinnitus, Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire score and VAS were observed in both groups. No significant differences were obtained in pitch-matched frequency of tinnitus in the two groups. Conclusion: The findings obtained using either the combined devices or the masking devices with wide-band masking demonstrate that these devices are an effective tinnitus treatment alternative.

Keywords:
Tinnitus treatment, Hearing aids, Masking devices, Betahistine dihydrochloride
1.
Jastreboff PJ: Phantom auditory perception (tinnitus): mechanisms of generation and perception. Neurosci Res 1990;8:221-254.
2.
Schaette R, König O, Hornig D, Gross M, Kempter R: Acoustic stimulation treatments against tinnitus could be most effective when tinnitus pitch is within the stimulated frequency range. Hear Res 2010;269:95-101.
3.
Davis A, Refaie AE: Epidemiology of tinnitus; in Tyler RS (ed): Tinnitus Handbook. San Diego, Singular Publishing Group, 2000, pp 1-24.
4.
Olszewski J, Kowalska S, Kuśmierczyk K: Tinnitus diagnosis and treatment on the basis of our experiences. Otolaryngol Polsk 2008;62:76-81.
5.
Zenner HP, Ernest A: Cochlear-motor transduction and signal transfer tinnitus: models for three types of cochlear tinnitus. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1993;249:447-454.
6.
Andersson G, Baguley D, McKenna L, McFerran D: Tinnitus: A Multidisciplinary Approach. London, Whurr, 2005.
7.
Mazurek B, Stöver T, Haupt H, Gross J, Szczepek A: The role of cochlear neurotransmitters in tinnitus. HNO 2007;55:964-971.
8.
Jastreboff PJ: Tinnitus habituation therapy (THT) and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT); in Tyler RS (ed): Tinnitus Handbook. San Diego, Singular Publishing Group, 2000, pp 357-376.
9.
Patterson MB, Balough BJ: Review of pharmacological therapy for tinnitus. Int Tinnitus J 2006;12:149-159.
10.
Koester M, Storck C, Zorowka P: Tinnitus-classification, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. MMW Fortschr Med 2004;146:23-24, 26-28, quiz 29-30.
11.
Hoekstra CEL, Rynja SP, van Zanten GA, Rovers M: Anticonvulsants for tinnitus. Cochrane Datab Syst Rev 2009;3:CD007960.
12.
Robinson S: Antidepressants for treatment of tinnitus. Progr Brain Res 2007;166:263-271.
13.
Von Boetticher A: Ginkgo biloba extract in the treatment of tinnitus: a systemic review. Neuropsychiatry Dis Treat 2011;7:441-447.
14.
Arda HN, Tuncel U, Akdogan O, Ozluoglu LN: The role of zinc in the treatment of tinnitus. Otol Neurotol 2003;24:86-89.
15.
Ma RF, Xin Y, Zhao YM, Lü JQ: Efficacy of betahistine mesilate combined with flunarizine hydrochloride for treating tinnitus. Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2006;41:269-273.
16.
Çekkayan S, Özlüoglu LN, Yologlu S, et al: Tinnituslu hastalarda betahistin ve Ginkgo biloba ekstresinin karşilaştirilmasi. KBB ve BBC Derg 1996;4:19-22.
17.
Gananca MM, Caovilla HH, Gazzola JM, Ganança CF, Ganança FF: Betahistine in the treatment of tinnitus in patients with vestibular disorders. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2011;77:499-503.
18.
Tyler RS: Tinnitus treatment: neurophysiological models, psychological models, and treatments for tinnitus; in Tyler RS (ed): Tinnitus Treatment. New York, Thieme, 2004, pp 1-22.
19.
Coles RRA, Baskill JL, Sheldrake JB: Measurement and management of tinnitus. J Laryngol Otol 1984;98:1171-1176.
20.
Schechter MA, Henry JA. Assessment and treatment of tinnitus patients using a ‘masking approach.' J Am Acad Audiol 2002;13:545-558.
21.
Hazell JWP: Tinnitus masking therapy; in Hazell JWP (ed): Tinnitus. London, Churchill Livingstone, 1987, pp 96-117.
22.
Hiller W, Goebel G: Rapid assessment of tinnitus-related psychological distress using the Mini-TQ. Int J Audiol 2004;43:600-604.
23.
Vernon JA, Meikle MB: Masking devices and alprazolam treatment for tinnitus. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2003;36:307-320.
24.
Folmer RL, Carroll JR: Long-term effectiveness of ear level devices for tinnitus. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006;134:132-137.
25.
Surr RK, Montgomery AA, Mueller HG: Effect of amplification on tinnitus among new hearing aid users. Ear Hear 1985;6:71-75.
26.
Trotter MI, Donaldson I: Hearing aids and tinnitus therapy: a 25-year experience. J Laryngol Otol 2008;122:1052-1056.
27.
Folmer RL, Carrol JR: Long-term effectiveness of ear-level devices for tinnitus. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006;134:132-137.
28.
Tyler RS, Conrad-Armes D: Tinnitus pitch: a comparison of three measurement methods. Br J Audiol 1983;17:101-107.
29.
Keidser G: Prediction of non-linear amplification using different loudness scaling tests. Aust NZ J Audiol 2003;25:36-48.
30.
Henry JA: Audiologic asessment; in Snow JB (ed): Tinnitus: Theory and Management. London, Decker, 2004, pp 220-236.
31.
Moore BCJ: Cochlear Hearing Loss: Physiological, Psychological and Technical Issues. Chichester, Wiley & Sons, 2007.
© 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
2013
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.