[Implementation of habituation theory to pulsatile somato-sounds (tinnitus): the heart valve prosthesis sound model].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the habituation process to mechanical heart valve prosthesis sound as a model to understand the pulsatile tinnitus or somatosound perception changes.


METHODS
Transversal descriptive.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty patients referred to a University Hospital for one or two mechanical heart valve implantation.


METHODS
Questionnaire sent by mail for prosthesis sound loudness and interference in quality of life evaluation. Detection of factors related to habituation process development.


RESULTS
Eighty three percent of the patients perceived their prosthesis sound continuously, while only a 17% showed high levels of annoyance. No significative differences in prosthesis type and localization were described. Anxiety was the most important factor for loudness increase. The average of visual analogical scales on sound loudness and annoyance showed mild values (3.7 and 1.9 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Extensive medical counselling or tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) program for most severe cases, are proposed for pulsatile tinnitus management when etiological treatment cannot be available.
Herráiz
C
C
Unidad de Otorrinolaringología, Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, C/Budapest, 1, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid. cherraizp@seorl.net
Larrea
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008144:Loudness Perception; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology*