Comparison of Enriched Acoustic Environment and White Noise as Sound Stimuli for Tinnitus Treatment: A 4-Month Feasibility Study
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of three sound therapies—enriched acoustic environment with random noise (EAERR), enriched acoustic environment with gamma tones (EAEGT), and white noise (WN)—in alleviating tinnitus distress and enhanci...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/342 |
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| author | Marta Fernández-Ledesma Ricardo Sanz-Fernández María Cuesta Pedro Cobo |
| author_facet | Marta Fernández-Ledesma Ricardo Sanz-Fernández María Cuesta Pedro Cobo |
| author_sort | Marta Fernández-Ledesma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of three sound therapies—enriched acoustic environment with random noise (EAERR), enriched acoustic environment with gamma tones (EAEGT), and white noise (WN)—in alleviating tinnitus distress and enhancing emotional well-being. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 125 individuals with tinnitus were recruited, with 92 completing the four-month intervention. Following counseling, participants selected a therapy and listened daily for one hour for four-months at the mixing point intensity. Tinnitus severity and emotional state were assessed at the baseline and post-treatment using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). <b>Results</b>: All therapies significantly reduced tinnitus distress and improved emotional well-being, with 80.4% of participants reporting benefits. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings suggest that sound therapies are effective for tinnitus management, though further research with larger and more homogeneous samples is needed to refine their application and optimize treatment for diverse tinnitus profiles. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b73231d628f644e09798088383f41e06 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-b73231d628f644e09798088383f41e062025-08-20T02:28:27ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-03-0115434210.3390/brainsci15040342Comparison of Enriched Acoustic Environment and White Noise as Sound Stimuli for Tinnitus Treatment: A 4-Month Feasibility StudyMarta Fernández-Ledesma0Ricardo Sanz-Fernández1María Cuesta2Pedro Cobo3Department of Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, European University of Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, SpainDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, European University of Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, SpainInstitute for Physical and Information Technologies (ITEFI), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, SpainInstitute for Physical and Information Technologies (ITEFI), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of three sound therapies—enriched acoustic environment with random noise (EAERR), enriched acoustic environment with gamma tones (EAEGT), and white noise (WN)—in alleviating tinnitus distress and enhancing emotional well-being. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 125 individuals with tinnitus were recruited, with 92 completing the four-month intervention. Following counseling, participants selected a therapy and listened daily for one hour for four-months at the mixing point intensity. Tinnitus severity and emotional state were assessed at the baseline and post-treatment using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). <b>Results</b>: All therapies significantly reduced tinnitus distress and improved emotional well-being, with 80.4% of participants reporting benefits. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings suggest that sound therapies are effective for tinnitus management, though further research with larger and more homogeneous samples is needed to refine their application and optimize treatment for diverse tinnitus profiles.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/342tinnitussound therapyEAEwhite noiseHADSTHI |
| spellingShingle | Marta Fernández-Ledesma Ricardo Sanz-Fernández María Cuesta Pedro Cobo Comparison of Enriched Acoustic Environment and White Noise as Sound Stimuli for Tinnitus Treatment: A 4-Month Feasibility Study Brain Sciences tinnitus sound therapy EAE white noise HADS THI |
| title | Comparison of Enriched Acoustic Environment and White Noise as Sound Stimuli for Tinnitus Treatment: A 4-Month Feasibility Study |
| title_full | Comparison of Enriched Acoustic Environment and White Noise as Sound Stimuli for Tinnitus Treatment: A 4-Month Feasibility Study |
| title_fullStr | Comparison of Enriched Acoustic Environment and White Noise as Sound Stimuli for Tinnitus Treatment: A 4-Month Feasibility Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparison of Enriched Acoustic Environment and White Noise as Sound Stimuli for Tinnitus Treatment: A 4-Month Feasibility Study |
| title_short | Comparison of Enriched Acoustic Environment and White Noise as Sound Stimuli for Tinnitus Treatment: A 4-Month Feasibility Study |
| title_sort | comparison of enriched acoustic environment and white noise as sound stimuli for tinnitus treatment a 4 month feasibility study |
| topic | tinnitus sound therapy EAE white noise HADS THI |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/342 |
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