Self-Administered Tinnitus Pitch Matching versus a Conventional Audiometric Procedure

초록

Objective: Obtaining an accurate tinnitus pitch match is an initial and critical requirement for tinnitus evaluation and treatment, particularly for applying tailor-made notched music training. We investigated whether computer-based self-administered tinnitus pitch matching (CSTPM) is comparable with a conventional audiometric procedure (CAP). Methods: In total, 82 patients (mean age 45.52 years; 42 females) with tonal tinnitus participated. The CAP was performed by the same audiologist using a 2-alternative forced choice method with a frequency range of 0.25-16 kHz. In the CSTPM, the subjects used personal computer software with a scrolling slider to select the sound closest to their tinnitus pitch. After each matching procedure, an octave challenge test was applied. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with the difference between the CSTPM and CAP. Results: The subjects' mean hearing threshold was 21.25 +/- 17.61 dB HL; the mean tinnitus handicap inventory score was 35.56 +/- 24.09. The mean pitches measured with the CSTPM and CAP were 6.29 +/- 4.30 and 6.98 +/- 5.33 kHz, respectively. In total, 57 (69.5%) subjects matched their tinnitus with less than half an octave difference between the procedures. The results of the 2 methods correlated significantly with each other (Pearson r = 0.793, p < 0.001). Octave confusion was a significant factor affecting the difference between the procedures (odds ratio 8.92, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The CSTPM appears to be as accurate as the standard audiological procedure, and may be used instead of the CAP when octave confusion is minimized. (C) 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel

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