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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2007 May-Jun;73(3):370-7.
doi: 10.1016/s1808-8694(15)30081-1.

The efficacy of open molds in controlling tinnitus

Gisele Munhoes dos Santos Ferrari  1 , Tanit Ganz Sanchez, Maria Elisabete Bovino Pedalini
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The efficacy of open molds in controlling tinnitus

Gisele Munhoes dos Santos Ferrari et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007 May-Jun.

Abstract

Hearing aids may be a option to improve tinnitus and hearing loss.

Aim: to evaluate tinnitus after one month use of BTE hearing aids with open molds and pressure vent molds in patients with symmetric sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods: 50 patients seen at our Tinnitus Clinic who presented bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss underwent a randomized blind crossover clinical trial: 26 first used BTE hearing aids with open molds, and the remaining 24 first used pressure vent molds. After 30 days using the first mold and a wash-out period, the type of earmold was changed and was applied for another 30-day-period. Tinnitus evaluation was done qualitatively (improved, unchanged and worsened) and quantitatively (variation on a numeric scale from 0 to 10).

Results: 82% of the cases reported improvement of tinnitus with at least one type of earmold; there was no significant difference in the reduction of discomfort due to tinnitus in the quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Although similar tinnitus control was obtained with both methods, 66% of the patients preferred the open mold.

Conclusion: In a short-term evaluation improvement of tinnitus by the use of hearing aids does not depend on earmold ventilation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sequence of procedures done in each patient.
Chart 1
Chart 1
Correlation between measurements of variation of annoyance due to tinnitus and hearing loss assessed by a NS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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