title: Auditory training program in subjects with tinnitus.
abstract: Tinnitus may be defined as the conscious perception of sound or noise, without the presence of external acoustic stimulation. Given the damage caused by tinnitus and the lack of effective treatment, alternatives are necessary to rehabilitate subjects with tinnitus. There is an assumption that auditory training (AT) could lead to a plastic reorganization of this system, thus promoting an improvement of the symptom.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify the effect of an AT program in subjects with tinnitus in the perception of this symptom.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve subjects with tinnitus were included in the study and divided into two groups: Study Group (SG) and Control Group (CG). All of them underwent audiometric and electrophysiological assessments; acuphenometry; Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and auditory processing assessment (GIN - Gaps in Noise, Frequency Pattern Test and Speech-in-Noise). Afterward, trainings began and the SG was submitted to the formal AT, and the CG to the visual training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the characterization of the groups, no statistically significant difference was found for the variables such as age, pitch, and loudness of tinnitus, or for hearing thresholds in conventional audiometry and high frequencies. Comparisons were performed between the groups, before and after the trainings, regarding electrophysiological, behavioral, and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory tests, and no statistically significant differences were found between them for any of the evaluations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings showed no statistically significant differences between groups in the comparison between the moments pre- and post-trainings (auditory or visual), nor for the electrophysiological findings or behavioral assessment of the auditory processing and for the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, although some specific differences in the individual analysis have occurred.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tugumia
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra Giannella
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Samelli
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla Gentile
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Matas
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Cristina Leite
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Magliaro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Maia
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rabelo
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*