Tinnitus suppression with threshold and subthreshold sound stimuli.
In this preliminary report, we present the results from our investigation of 34 tinnitus patients for tinnitus suppression with frequency-specific sound stimuli within the auditory spectrum. Of this number, 22 (64.7%) experienced suppression, 5 (14.7%) had partial suppression, and 7 (20.6%) were nonresponders. Suppression of peripheral tinnitus may result when mechanosensitive outer hair cells are recruited by sound stimuli that can remain at subthreshold level. The suppression mechanism is possibly explained by the electromodel of the auditory system. This physiological model could be the basis of tinnitus suppression therapy in which a low-intensity, frequency-specific and tinnitus-suppressing sound stimulus is introduced instead of a wide-band masking noise.
Franz
Burkhard
B
Tinnitus Research and Balance Clinic, 230 Mountain Highway, Wantirna 3152, Australia. burkhard@bigpond.net.au
Offutt
George
G
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006199:Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner / Q000473:pathology; D018072:Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*