[Evaluating the effects of hearing aids combined with psychological counseling on tinnitus in patients with deafness].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of hearing aids combined with psychological counseling on subjective tinnitus.

METHOD

One hundred and fifty four tinnitus patients with deafness were randomly divided into two groups: 84 cases in study group, receiving hearing aids combined with psychological counseling therapy; 70 cases in control group, receiving counseling therapy only. Two groups were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months after the beginning of the therapy. In study group, 6 cases were bilaterally aided and 78 cases were unilaterally aided. The 78 cases are divided into three subgroups: Group A (moderate hearing loss), Group B (moderate to severe hearing loss), and Group C(severe hearing loss) according to the severity of hearing loss.

RESULT

At 3, 6 and 12 months after the beginning of the therapy ,the effective rates in study group are 26.19%, 63.10% and 72.62% respectively and the effective rates in control group are 8.57%, 18.57% and 25.71% respectively. There are statistically significant differences between the effective rates of the two groups after 3,6 and 12 months since the therapy started (P < 0.01). The tinnitus improvement of Group A is the most, and that of Group C is the least. The effective rate of Group A is higher than groups B and C with statistically significant differences (P < 0.0167). The effective rate of Group B is higher than Group C while with no statistically significant difference(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hearing aids can not only improve hearing but also help with the treatment of tinnitus. Hearing aids combined with psychological counseling treatment is an ideal method for dealing with tinnitus in patients with deafness.