Evaluation of a customized acoustical stimulus system in the treatment of chronic XXXX .

@entity1 @entity392 @entity308
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a customized acoustical stimulus (Neuromonics) system in the treatment of chronic @entity392 . STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional prospective. SETTING: Nine U.S. Tertiary Otological referral centers; ambulatory. @entity1 : Fifty-two adults with chronic @entity392 for a minimum of 6 months, with poor or no response to previous treatments, and not undergoing concomitant therapies were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment was delivered in 2 stages: Stage 1 consisted of stimulation with the @entity1 -customized musical tracks and white noise masking of the @entity392 for 2 months, 2 to 4 hours a day. Stage 2 consisted of listening to the same tracks, with no @entity392 masking for 4 months. Both phases included education, cognitive therapy, and periodic follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Treatment response was measured through validated psychometric testing: the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Other measures included the @entity308 Scale and loudness discomfort levels. RESULTS: @entity1 ' responses were recorded from 38 @entity1 at 6 months, 28 @entity1 at 12 months, and 12 @entity1 at 24 months after initiation of treatment. A total of 14 @entity1 withdrew or were lost to follow-up, and the rest had not reached the 12- or 24-month testing interval. The Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire score was significantly reduced in 74% of @entity1 at 12 months and 84% of @entity1 at 24 months. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores were significantly reduced in 77% of @entity1 at 12 months and 50% at 24 months. CONCLUSION: The customized acoustical stimulus system offers a safe and effective means of @entity392 management for @entity1 with chronic @entity392 .
