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. 2022 Mar;279(3):1257-1267.
doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06767-9. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Effectiveness of tinnitus therapy using a mobile application

Justyna Kutyba  1 , Elżbieta Gos  2 , Wiesław Wiktor Jędrzejczak  2 , Danuta Raj-Koziak  2 , Lucyna Karpiesz  2 , Iwona Niedziałek  2 , Henryk Skarżyński  2 , Piotr Henryk Skarżyński  2   3   4
Affiliations

Effectiveness of tinnitus therapy using a mobile application

Justyna Kutyba et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization reports that the number of tinnitus sufferers is increasing year on year. Given the common use of mobile devices and the availability of applications designed to support patients in tinnitus therapy and reduce tinnitus severity, patients seeking help are likely to try this form of support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application in tinnitus sound therapy, in this case ReSound Tinnitus Relief™.

Methods: The study involved 52 patients hospitalized for tinnitus. All participants used the free ReSound Tinnitus Relief application for 6 months. The application is based on sound therapy. Patients were advised to use the application for at least 30 min per day, the sounds should not completely mask the tinnitus, and they should be listened to via a loudspeaker. The effects of the therapy were evaluated by means of standardized questionnaires for tinnitus severity: the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and the Tinnitus Functional Index.

Results: The study showed a reduction in tinnitus severity as measured by both questionnaires. The general severity decreased after the first 3 months and again in the following 3 months of using the application. In both questionnaires the biggest changes were observed in the subscales of emotions.

Conclusions: Results obtained here from standardized questionnaires indicate that the tested application may contribute to tinnitus reduction. However, it is advisable to conduct further research on the applicability of such technology in medical practice.

Keywords: Mobile applications; Sound therapy; Tinnitus; telemedicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest .

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Selection process of application
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Average results of THI and TFI global scores. The error bars are standard deviations. ***p < 0.001
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Sounds listened to by participants
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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