Sound Therapy (Using Amplification Devices and/or Sound Generators) for Tinnitus
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Sereda, M., Xia, J., et al. (2018).
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD013094.
This meta-analysis investigaties the effects of sound therapy on tinnitus symptom severity in adults.
The Cochrane Collaboration; National Institute for Health Research (United Kingdom)
Through July 23, 2018
Randomized controlled trials
8 studies total; 3 studies included in the meta-analysis
Four studies compared the efficacy of sound therapy devices (e.g., hearing aids, sound generators, and combination) on decreasing the severity of tinnitus symptoms in adults. All device types resulted in a clinically significant reduction of symptoms, but, "there is insufficient evidence to support the superiority or inferiority of any of the sound therapy options (hearing aid, sound generator or combination hearing aid) over each other" (Low Certainty; p. 25).<div><br /></div><div>No evidence was found comparing the efficacy of sound therapy devices to wait list, placebo, or educational/informational counseling alone. No adverse effects were reported in any of the studies. Additional research on the effectiveness of sound therapy in adults with tinnitus is needed.</div>
