Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Int J Audiol. 2021 May;60(5):374-384. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1832266. Epub 2020 Oct 19.
Despite the positive effect of a cochlear implant (CI) on tinnitus in many patients, tinnitus remains a problem for a significant proportion of CI users. We investigated the acceptability and effect of sound therapy (a combination of natural background sounds and one concise tinnitus counselling session) on tinnitus and speech perception in CI users who still experienced tinnitus during CI use.
Thirty-two CI users (32-78 years) participated in phase 1: a test at the clinic to evaluate six background sounds provided by the sound processor. Eighteen out of the 32 CI users participated in phase 2: an optional take-home evaluation of 2 weeks without sound therapy, followed by 5 weeks with sound therapy, ending with an evaluation visit.
Thirty subjects (93.8%) found at least one background sound acceptable. In phase 2, a small improvement with sound therapy was found for tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and intrusiveness. 50% of the subjects subjectively reported benefit of sound therapy. Especially the sense of control on their tinnitus was highly appreciated. No detrimental effect on speech perception was observed.
The background sounds were acceptable and provided tinnitus relief in some CI users with tinnitus during CI use.
尽管许多患者的人工耳蜗（CI）植入对耳鸣有积极影响，但仍有相当一部分 CI 用户存在耳鸣问题。我们研究了声音疗法（自然背景声音和一次简明的耳鸣咨询相结合）对在使用 CI 期间仍有耳鸣的 CI 用户的耳鸣和言语感知的可接受性和效果。
32 名 CI 用户（32-78 岁）参加了第 1 阶段：在诊所进行的测试，以评估声音处理器提供的六种背景声音。在 32 名 CI 用户中，有 18 名参加了第 2 阶段：为期两周的可选家庭评估期，没有声音治疗，然后进行为期 5 周的声音治疗，最后进行评估访问。
30 名受试者（93.8%）至少发现一种背景声音可以接受。在第 2 阶段，声音疗法对耳鸣响度、烦恼和侵扰性有一定程度的改善。50%的受试者主观报告声音疗法有帮助。特别是对他们耳鸣的控制感评价很高。未观察到对言语感知有不利影响。
背景声音可被接受，并为在使用 CI 期间有耳鸣的一些 CI 用户提供了耳鸣缓解。
