ABSTRACT
Purpose
To verify the benefits of using hearing aids in self-perception of tinnitus in adults and elderly without previous experience of amplification.
Methods
The study included individuals of both gender, with tinnitus complaint, accompanied in public hospital. The following tests and instruments were used to measure tinnitus and determine its discomfort: pitch and loudness, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), minimum masking level, residual inhibition and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). The evaluations were performed in two stages: before the adaptation of the hearing aids and after one month of use of the devices.
Results
Of the 20 participants, 60% were elderly. There was a difference in self-perception of tinnitus before and after hearing aid fitting, as measured by THI and VAS. Differences in psychoacoustic measures were also observed, with the exception of pitch, before and after amplification. In addition, there was a correlation between tinnitus time and age with final THI scores.
Conclusion
The use of hearing aids was determined to reduce the annoyance caused by tinnitus, with changes in psycho-acoustic measures and impact on quality of life.
Keywords:
Tinnitus; Hearing aids; Hearing; Hearing loss; Audiology