Evaluation and Treatment of Tinnitus: Comparative Effectiveness
Pichora-Fuller, M. K., Santaguida, P., et al. (2013).
Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, (Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 122. (Prepared by the McMaster University Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2007-10060-I). AHRQ Publication No. 13-EHC110-EF), 294.
This systematic review investigates the effect of tinnitus treatment (e.g., medical/surgical, sound treatment/technology, psychological/behavioral, combination therapies) on tinnitus symptoms and severity and quality of life in adults, 18 years and older, with subjective idiopathic (nonpulsatile) tinnitus. Treatments within the scope of audiology practices are included in the summary.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; McMaster University Evidence-based Practice Center (Canada)
January 1970 to June 2012
Original, English-language quantitative research studies (excluding systematic reviews, narrative reviews, case reports/studies, case series, and editorial articles)
51
<p>Sound technology interventions (e.g., hearing aids, sound generators) with tinnitus retraining therapy showed benefits for adults with subjective idiopathic tinnitus in the following areas:</p><ul> <li>tinnitus-specific quality of life measures,</li> <li>subjective loudness,</li> <li>anxiety, and</li> <li>global quality of life.</li></ul><p>Outcomes for sound technology were not significantly different as compared to other tinnitus interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, Neuromonics) (Insufficient Quality Evidence).</p>
Tinnitus retraining therapy for adults experiencing subjective idiopathic tinnitus improved tinnitus-specific quality of life, but findings were not statistically significant (Insufficient Quality Evidence).
