Variability of Tinnitus Characterization Tools and Investigation of Audiovisual Integration in Tinnitus Perception
| Status: | Withdrawn |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Other Indications |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 9/15/2017 |
| Start Date: | June 2017 |
| End Date: | January 2018 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We found this trial at
1
site
312 Church Street Southeast
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Principal Investigator: Hubert Lim, PhD
Phone: 612-626-4010
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