Observation Of The Efficacy In Masking Therapy And TRT For Chronic Tinnitus

Objective:The exact pathophysiological mechanism of tinnitus is still not fully elucidated,but its incidence rate has a rising trend, and the patients tend to be younger, so the clinical treatment of tinnitus is still a problem to aurist. At present among numerous therapies, masking therapy has been used for a long time,and its curative effect is certain.Foreign literature in recent years reports the therapeutic effect of tinnitus retraining therapy is superior to the masking therapy. The present study aims to Observe the differences of therapeutic efficacy between masking therapy and tinnitus retraining therapy in chronic subjective tinnitus.And provide us a basis for individual treatment of tinnitus.Method:122chronic subjective tinnitus patients underwent measurement of tinnitus sound, psychological counseling and mental adjustment.Of which94cases were positive and28were negative in tinnitus masking.122patients were divided into two groups for prospective study:48cases were randomly selected from the masking test positive for masking therapy,the rest74cases for TRT.Using tinnitus handicap inventory(THI) and anxious degree of tinnitus for a comprehensive psychological assessment before and after lmonth,3months,6months and12months of treatment,and compare the curative effects of two kinds of treatment method.Result:After1month of treatment,the total effective rate of masking group was72.92%and TRT group was20.27%.The curative effect of masking group is better than that of TRT group(χ2=33.36, P<0.01).After3months of treatment the total effective rate of masking group was58.33%and TRT group was55.41%.The curative effect of two groups had no significant difference (χ2=0.10, P>0.05). After6months of treatment,the total effective rate of masking group was50.00%and TRT group was78.38%.The curative effect of TRT was superior to the masking group(χ2=10.64, P<0.01).After12months of treatment,the total effective rate of masking group was45.83%and TRT group was81.08%.The results of two groups had statistically difference (χ2=16.41,P<0.01).Conclusion:Both masking therapy and TRT are effective cure for chronic subjective tinnitus,and TRT can obtain a long-term and stable curative effect.The short-term curative effect of masking therapy is satisfied, but the forward curative effect is not sure. The long-term efficacy of TRT is superior to the masking therapy treatment,and its curative effect is stable, and suitable for masking test negative patients, it’s more worth in clinical promotion. We should make individualized treatment plan for patients according to the needs of them and combining the actual situation.