Tinnitus
Conditions
Keywords
Neuromodulation, Noninvasive, Plasticity, Hearing, Hyperacusis
Brief summary
Characterizing the nature and severity of tinnitus in individuals presents a particular challenge. The nature of the sound (loudness and pitch) is not necessarily indicative of the effect on quality of life. Different methods are used to measure each parameter. Loudness is measured using a technique called minimum masking, in which the subject is presented with a broadband white noise and asked to adjust the loudness level until they can no longer hear their tinnitus. Severity of tinnitus is commonly characterized using two questionnaires: the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). These questionnaires assess the perceived severity of the tinnitus and the effect on everyday activities and quality of life. A visual analog scale (a scale from 0-10) is used as a general subjective measurement of tinnitus severity. In the first part of this study, we will measure each of these parameters over a series of sessions to establish a baseline variability for each individual. The second part will look at the influence of context-specific visual information on auditory perception. This involves watching silent videos of a person speaking, with and without an additional tone designed to match the subject's tinnitus. The effect of this audiovisual feedback on the subject's perception of tinnitus will be assessed using a subjective rating scale and the minimum masking task.
Detailed description
This study is not specifically seeking to treat tinnitus, but is designed to investigate various parameters that can alter the tinnitus percept. Findings from this study will help identify parameters that can be more effective at decreasing or fully suppressing the tinnitus percept that will be systematically explored in a follow-up study.
Interventions
OTHERTone
Band-limited white noise stimulus or frequency-matched tone presented at a comfortable loudness level via headphones or earphones.
OTHERVideo
Silent video recording of a person speaking or a still face with an expanding circle over the mouth presented on a computer or tablet screen.
Sponsors
University of Minnesota
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Have subjective, non-pulsatile and bothersome tinnitus * Ability to give informed consent and understand study objectives and procedures in English * Willing and able to understand and comply with all study-related procedures * Will not start any new tinnitus treatment during the study
Exclusion criteria
* Substantial hearing loss or hyperacusis that may interfere with the study * Medical history of other ear or brain disorders * Pregnant or currently breast-feeding (we need to give all female subjects a pregnancy test because pregnant females and unborn children require extra protection for their safety) * Any handicap that prevents the subject from reliably performing the tests, such as blindness.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Minimal Masking Level | Change in baseline level at an expected average of 1 minute and 1.5 hours after testing paradigm. | A narrowband noise (from 2-12 kHz) is presented to the tinnitus ear and the minimum sound level (in decibel sound pressure level, decibel SPL) is determined that completely masks the tinnitus percept. |
| Change in Tinnitus Rating (0-10, 10 being worst) | Change in baseline rating at an expected average of 4 minutes and 1.5 hours after testing paradigm | the subject rates the disturbance or bothering nature of the tinnitus. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Tinnitus Functional Index Questionnaire Score | Change from baseline score at an expected average of 5 minutes and 1.5 hours after testing paradigm | A series of questions to assess the quality and bothering nature of the tinnitus, which is then quantified into a single score. |
| Change in Tinnitus Handicap Inventory Questionnaire Score | Change from baseline score at an expected average of 5 minutes and 1.5 hours after testing paradigm | A series of questions to assess the quality and bothering nature of the tinnitus, which is then quantified into a single score. |
| Change in Tinnitus Subjective Description | Change in baseline description at an expected average of 5 minutes and 1.5 hours after testing paradigm | The subject describes the quality, characteristics, and bothering nature of the tinnitus. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed