Hazell J W, Wood S M, Cooper H R, Stephens S D, Corcoran A L, Coles R R, Baskill J L, Sheldrake J B
Br J Audiol. 1985 May;19(2):65-146. doi: 10.3109/03005368509078966.
This report describes a three-centre study of the effectiveness of tinnitus maskers, combination instruments (masker plus hearing aid), and hearing aids in the management of tinnitus. Some 472 patients entered the study with 382 reaching the first evaluation session after a minimum period of 6 months from fitting, and 206 reaching the second evaluation not less than 6 months after the first. The study included two control groups, by which to assess the comparative benefit to be derived solely from the investigation and counselling of such patients. The principal results were as follows: thorough investigation and careful counselling do much to help the patient; much further benefit is given by tinnitus masking instruments of various kinds; maskers are more often effective than hearing aids, although the latter are frequently the most appropriate first treatment of those patients who have substantial (but not yet treated or insufficiently treated) hearing difficulties as well; there is no evidence of masking having any harmful effect on hearing. None of the audiometric or tinnitus tests currently employed can be regarded as predictive, either of tinnitus severity, or of the eventual outcome of masking therapy, however certain measurements may help as a guide to patient management.
本报告描述了一项在三个中心开展的关于耳鸣掩蔽器、组合器械（掩蔽器加助听器）及助听器对耳鸣治疗效果的研究。约472名患者参与了该研究，其中382名在佩戴后至少6个月时进入首次评估阶段，206名在首次评估后不少于6个月时进入第二次评估。该研究包括两个对照组，用于评估仅通过对此类患者进行检查和咨询所能获得的相对益处。主要结果如下：全面的检查和仔细的咨询对帮助患者大有裨益；各类耳鸣掩蔽器械能带来更多益处；掩蔽器通常比助听器更有效，不过对于那些有严重（但尚未治疗或治疗不足）听力困难的患者，助听器往往是最适宜的首选治疗手段；没有证据表明掩蔽会对听力产生任何有害影响。然而，目前所采用的听力测定或耳鸣测试，无论是对于耳鸣严重程度还是掩蔽治疗的最终结果，均无法被视为具有预测性，不过某些测量结果可能有助于指导患者管理。
