(274) Intensive Notched Music for Tinnitus Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: According to the AAO-HNS recent clinical practice guideline for tinnitus, published in 2014, sound therapy is still optional treatment for persistent or bothersome tinnitus. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of short and intense tailor-made notched music therapy combined with education and counseling on reducing tinnitus, in order to provide the support evidence for further application of sound therapy as standard treatment.

Methods: A single-blinded prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on 32 participants with chronic subjective tinnitus from September 2021 to November 2022 at the outpatient clinic, Department of Otolaryngology, Chiang Mai University Hospital. Subjects were allocated into two groups: (1) treatment group, which listened to tailor-made notched music for 6 hours a day for 7 consecutive days combined with education and counseling, and (2) control group, which received education and counseling alone. Outcome measures were the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) Thai Version Questionnaire and visual analog scales, which measured perceived tinnitus loudness, annoyance, noticeable time, and effects of tinnitus on daily life. Participants rated their tinnitus before and 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment initiation.

Results: There was a significant reduction of the total THI score, emotional aspect of the THI score, and visual analogue scale (loudness) in the treatment group compared to the control group after 7 days of treatment initiation (p-values = 0.008, 0.008, and 0.038, respectively).

Conclusions: The short and intense tailor-made notched music therapy combined with education and counseling significantly reduced the total THI score, emotional aspect of the THI score, and visual analogue scale (loudness) compared to education and counseling alone.