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A short form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory was administered to 146 clinical patients who suffered from either tinnitus or a hearing disorder or both. Patients were assigned to four groups on the basis of their subjective complaint and their audiometric report: patients with tinnitus only, patients with tinnitus and a hearing loss where the tinnitus was the primary complaint, patients with tinnitus and a hearing loss where the hearing loss was the primary complaint, and patients who had a hearing loss but no tinnitus. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there were certain measurable personality characteristics unique to the tinnitus patient. The results indicated elevations for all four groups on some combination of Scales 8, 6, 3, and 2. The differences obtained were significant between those groups who suffered from tinnitus as opposed to those whose primary complaint was a hearing loss. The tinnitus patients had social adjustment problems that were not evidenced for patients with hearing impairment. This finding was especially true for patients whose only problem was tinnitus. It appears that for those patients with both a hearing loss and tinnitus the scores are less elevated, indicating that the patient who has had a hearing loss for a period of time is better able to cope with the tinnitus than the patient who is suddenly and unaccountably afflicted with tinnitus. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that the MMPI can be used as an instrument to differentiate between the tinnitus versus the hearing loss patient.

There is no previous scientific evidence to support the anecdotal and self-report literature proclaiming the adverse affect of caffeine on the auditory disorder tinnitus. The present study investigated the relation between these two factors. Three models of caffeine action were postulated, implicating cyclic 3'5'-AMP, adenosine, glucose, adenine and hypoxia. It was predicted that the stimulatory action of caffeine would increase or vary the sensation of tinnitus resulting from excitation anywhere within the auditory system. Sixteen subjects with unilateral versus bilateral or head tinnitus were randomly administered a placebo, 100mg or 300mg of caffeine using a double-blind procedure. Pitch matches to a tone, thresholds of sensitivity, loudness matches to a tone at the matched tinnitus frequency and to broadband noise, and the subjective ratings of tinnitus frequency and loudness were recorded prior to, and 30 or 60 minutes after oral ingestion of caffeine. Caffeine did not affect the pitch of tinnitus or tone threshold but noise thresholds were elevated after 100mg but not 300mg of caffeine and loudness matches to noise increased after both 100mg and 300mg of caffeine. Changes in loudness matches to a tone and subjective ratings of loudness were dose- and time-dependent. The results were discussed in relation to the proposed models and mechanisms of action. Results suggest that for certain tinnitus sufferers caffeine has a stimulatory effect and that the cessation of caffeine-containing beverages would eliminate gross increases or variations in tinnitus. For others, however, the results suggest a depressant action, raising the possibility of using caffeine as a therapeutic, management technique.

Tinnitus affects approximately 50 million people in the United States (U.S.) and can be a challenging problem to address. Many treatments for tinnitus have been proposed, including acupuncture and hypnosis. Efficacy studies regarding these two treatments for tinnitus have either failed to show a positive effect of treatment or have suffered from significant design flaws. This project aimed to determine the attitudes and practice patterns of acupuncturists and hypnotists regarding their treatments in tinnitus management as well as to determine the attitudes of audiologists and otologists about these treatments. Acupuncturists, hypnotists, audiologists, and otologists anonymously completed surveys via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). The results of the surveys suggested that there is likely a wide range of opinions and practice patterns by professionals who offer acupuncture and/or hypnosis for the treatment of tinnitus and that a majority of audiologists and otologists who responded would recommend or might recommend these treatments for tinnitus.

Konstanz, Univ., Diplomarb., 2008.

<p> Tinnitus and hyperacusis are related auditory disorders that frequently interact. However, little is known about the subjective impact of tinnitus that is exacerbated by sound exposure. Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of auditory stimuli and is frequently associated with auditory system damage. Hyperacusis involves heightened sensitivity or intolerance to sound that can manifest as pain or physical discomfort and is not limited to specific sound qualities other than loudness level. Although tinnitus exacerbated by sound exposure poses increased challenges with treatment prognosis as well as mental health and quality of life factors, there are no objective measurements for assessing areas of impact unique to this specific tinnitus subtype. In the present study, a 20-item Sound-Sensitive Tinnitus Index (SSTI) was created and administered in an online survey. Results were analyzed with data from 277 participants in 32 countries. Analysis showed excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach&rsquo;s alpha = .89), and convergent validity was demonstrated through statistically significant correlations with established measures of tinnitus, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and hyperacusis. Rotated factor analyses revealed four dimensions to the SSTI. Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses also provided insights into respondents&rsquo; subjective experience, and the operational definition of sound-sensitive tinnitus was proposed. High levels of mental health and quality of life impact reported by participants underscore the need to differentiate this subtype and to better understand clinical implications in providing care to this underserved population.</p><p>

An Internet-based tinnitus intervention for use in the USA can address barriers that weaken the provision of tinnitus-related services. Although such interventions exist, their suitability for this population was questioned. The aim of this study was to adapt an Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy intervention (ICBT) for tinnitus to ensure its utility for a US population. The study objectives were to ensure the program’s accessibility in terms of readability, language, and cultural appropriateness. Methods: The intervention materials were redesigned and simplified to support use by a novel patient group. Readability Studio was used to evaluate reading levels using six different formula. Cultural and linguistic adaptions were identified by clinicians in the USA. Accessibility was further enhanced as the intervention materials were translated into Spanish. Results: Accessibility measures ensured all chapters had readability levels of between Grades 5-6. Cultural and linguistic adaptations were made in terms of content, vocabulary, and spelling. To improve patient engagement, adaptions were made to the interactive elements, goal setting and worksheets. Conclusion: Internet intervention materials were revised to adhere to best practice guidelines. Further studies should determine whether these changes improved self-efficacy, engagement, and aided motivation to complete the intervention.

Professional research project (Au.D.)--University of South Florida, 2000. / Document formatted into pages; contains 52 pages. / Title from PDF of title page. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Tinnitus is defined as an auditory stimulus that is unrelated to external stimulation. There are many theories as to what causes tinnitus, therefore, there are many treatment options for tinnitus. This paper attempts to increase the audiologist's knowledge of the etiology, as well as, the most appropriate treatment for tinnitus. There are two types of tinnitus, objective and subjective. Subjective tinnitus is more common, although it is more difficult to treat than objective tinnitus. There are many theories as to what causes tinnitus. Several disorders that have tinnitus as a symptom, such as, Meniere's disease, acoustic neuroma, and dysfunction of serotonin levels, are discussed. Before treatment of tinnitus, the patient must undergo a medical and audiologic evaluation. Tests of tinnitus pitch, loudness, residual masking, and minimal masking are included. The implications of these tests on treatment are also discussed. There are many treatment options available for tinnitus, such as, electrical stimulation, medications, stress and psychological therapy, tinnitus maskers, and hearing aids. This paper focuses on mainly the treatments that are most feasible for an audiologist. In addition, included is an empirical study that was conducted to examine the effects of hearing aids and circuit type on tinnitus relief. To conclude, this paper will summarize the steps to follow in order to manage a patient that exhibits tinnitus. Although there are some treatments that seem to be more appropriate for an audiologist to utilize, (i.e., hearing aids, maskers, and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, none have been proven to be effective in every patient. Research is still needed in this area. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Tinnitus is a common condition, characterized by the perception of ringing or noises in the head without an external source, that impacts numerous individuals worldwide, including those in Canada. The variability in tinnitus distress levels is thought to stem, at least in part, from diverse personality traits and the resulting emotional reactions to the condition. This study contributes to the growing body of research investigating the individuality of tinnitus sufferers and seeks to shed light on specific factors that contribute to their levels of associated distress. The investigation focused on two main factors: Desire for Control (an individual’s general inclination to assert control over life events) and Self-Efficacy for Tinnitus Management (confidence in effectively handling and managing tinnitus). The primary objective was to uncover any associations among these two factors and a patient's level of tinnitus distress. By understanding how these constructs interrelate, a deeper understanding of contributions to distress among those grappling with tinnitus can be gained. The significance of this research lies in its potential to enhance the support and interventions provided to tinnitus patients by healthcare professionals. An online survey collected responses from 130 Canadian adults regarding their health status and experiences with tinnitus. The study confirmed a robust correlation between the Self-Efficacy for Tinnitus Management Questionnaire (SETMQ) scores and the extent of distress experienced by individuals with tinnitus. The SETMQ, therefore, holds promise as a valuable instrument for identifying domains in which patients could benefit from additional support to alleviate their tinnitus-related distress. The study also revealed that there was no correlation between generalized desire for control and tinnitus-related distress. These results suggest the need for a new Desirability for Control scale similar in tinnitus-specificity to the SETMQ. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Tinnitus comes from the Latin verb “tinnire” which means “to ring”. It is often described as a persistent ringing in the ears that has no external source. Some, but not all, people find their tinnitus debilitating. This study examined whether people who strongly desire control but lack confidence in managing their tinnitus, experience higher stress because of it, compared to those with lower control needs or higher self-confidence. The results showed that having confidence in managing tinnitus is correlated with having lower distress, but there is no definite conclusion regarding the need for control. The results of this study suggest that a new method to measure the desire for control in a context specific to tinnitus is needed.

A Thesis submitted to The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine. / Background: Recent studies in noise-induced and idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss have suggested that magnesium supplementation may lessen both hearing loss and the severity of tinnitus in patients. Further epidemiological evidence indicates that all age groups of Americans fall short of the recommended daily allowance for magnesium by 100 mg daily. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine any potential benefit in lessening the severity of tinnitus in patients taking supplemental magnesium. Research Design: The study was a single-arm, open-label, before-and-after study of oral magnesium (532 mg per day) in 26 patients for 3 months. Tinnitus severity was evaluated and recorded daily by the patient using the Tinnitus Distress Rating (TDR) scale of 0 (no tinnitus) to 10 (worst possible tinnitus). The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was administered before and at the end of the study, and scores were converted to the grades of the 5-item Tinnitus Severity Scale (TSS).As a phase 2 study, the current design could not distinguish the effect of treatment from a placebo effect or regression to the mean. All data were collected at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. 3 Study Sample: Patients with moderate to very severe tinnitus (TDR score of 3 through 8). Intervention: Daily magnesium supplementation, 532 mg; patient completion of the THI; and daily self-report of TDR. Data Collection and Analysis: The main outcome measures were mean TDR scale scores and THI scores as converted to TSS grades. The primary analysis was done on the basis of intention to treat. Results: Twenty-six patients were enrolled; 19 completed the study. The extent of handicap, as measured by THI/TSS, for subjects with slight or greater impairment was significantly decreased (P=.03). Patients who ranked slight or greater on the THI/TSS before intervention showed a significant decrease in the severity of their tinnitus at post-testing (P=.008). Conclusion: The results suggest that magnesium may have a beneficial effect on perception of tinnitus-related handicap when scored with the THI. Keywords: Magnesium; Tinnitus; Tinnitus Distress Rating; Tinnitus Handicap Inventory; Tinnitus Severity Scale