Could hearing aids reduce tinnitus severity among people with mild hearing loss? Original paper

In this randomized controlled trial, the use of hearing aids reduced tinnitus severity among participants with mild hearing loss. In most cases, the participants had been unaware of their hearing loss prior to testing.

The efficacy of hearing aids and music stimulation on tinnitus severity among people with mild hearing loss.

Audiometry exams (hearing tests) were conducted by audiologists, and tinnitus severity was assessed using the validated Chinese Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), which includes 8 domains (intrusiveness, sense of control, cognitive, sleep, auditory, relaxation, quality of life, and emotion).

Secondary outcomes included anxiety and depression on the Chinese Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and subjective tinnitus loudness on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The Chinese Tinnitus Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to assess the domains of emotional distress, auditory perceptual difficulties, intrusiveness, sleep disturbance, and somatic complaints.

38 adults in China (average age of 58; 19 women, 19 men) with chronic tinnitus and mild hearing loss.

Most of the participants were unaware of their hearing loss prior to testing, according to the study authors.

This 12-month randomized controlled trial included 3 groups. The control group received informational counseling (IC) only, while the other groups received hearing aids (HA) or music stimulation (MS) in addition to IC.

The IC was administered in a single 90-minute session, which included a review of the participant’s hearing and tinnitus test results. In addition, the participants received educational materials and basic tinnitus management recommendations.

The participants in the HA group were fitted with receiver-in-the-canal HAs in both ears and were advised to use them for at least 2 hours per day.

The MS group received portable music players containing a variety of vocal and instrumental songs with audio output levels tailored to individual hearing profiles. The MS participants were instructed to listen to music for 2 hours daily, preferably in a quiet environment.

Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. A total of 16 participants (nearly half) did not complete the follow-up assessments due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The HA and MS groups experienced reductions in tinnitus severity on the TFI from baseline, but only the HA group experienced improvements in comparison with the IC group after 12 months.

Anxiety and depression (HADS) scores declined (improved) in all groups, as did CTQ scores, but no significant differences between groups were observed. Tinnitus loudness on the VAS remained similar to baseline in all groups.